COSTA RICA
The Costa Rican Tourism Institute has produced a safety card for tourists that lists a 24-hour hotline to report problems or get tips about travel around the country. The hotline number is 800-TOURISM or 800-TURISMO. The back of the card has a list of emergency phone numbers, including those of many foreign embassies. The card is being distributed at San Jose’s Santamaria International Airport.
ITALY
Unions have strikes planned in April that could affect travel throughout the country. Strikes that may affect air travel are: Alitalia ground personnel 24-hour nationwide strikes April 13 and 18; 24-hour pilots’ strike on Meridiana Airlines April 13; air traffic controllers’ strike in Catania from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 21; nationwide air traffic controllers’ strike from noon-4 p.m. April 23; personnel at Venice Airport, 24-hour strike April 23. Strikes that could disrupt surface transport are: national railway and ferry workers’ strike, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 13; taxi drivers’ strike in Milan from 2-6 p.m. April 17; public transit workers’ strike in Milan from 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6-7:45 p.m. April 20.
MEXICO
Dengue fever is surging in Mexico and other areas of Latin America. Dengue cases in Mexico have increased more than 600 percent since 2001, with the deadly form of dengue hemorrhagic fever increasing dramatically. It now accounts for one in every four cases compared to one in every 50 cases seven years ago. Officials have sent special mosquito-eradication teams to the resorts of Acapulco, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta to reduce the risks to tourists. Five Canadians were infected in Puerto Vallarta earlier this year; 549 cases were reported in Acapulco in January and February. The Dominican Republic is seeing 400 new cases a month.
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Compiled from various news services and travel sources. For the latest on world conditions, check the State Department’s automated service at 888-407-4747; fax 202-647-3000; travel.state.gov.