Cape Verde: A volcano erupted Monday, Nov. 25, on Fogo, prompting evacuations and security warnings to tourists on the island nation off Africa’s west coast. A local airport also was closed. A state of heightened alert remains in effect due to the possibility of further eruptions, and tourists are advised against travel in the area until all threats of additional eruptions have passed. Travelers should also be aware of evacuation procedures and have alternate plans in the event of more airport closures.
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Italy: In an attempt to quell noise pollution in Venice and to preserve historic paving slabs, marble steps and footbridges, officials hope to ban the use of wheeled luggage in city streets. Instead of using suitcases with noisy plastic wheels, officials hope that tourists will instead bring their travel supplies in cases with quieter inflatable wheels. Also in Italy, a Russian tourist was fined about $25,000 and handed a four-month suspended prison sentence in Rome for carving his initials into the Colosseum.
Madagascar: Health officials reported 138 cases of plague on the island, with 47 confirmed fatalities. The disease is most commonly spread through flea bites or contact with infected fluids or tissues and can be treated with antibiotics if detected early. Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, swollen lymph glands and extreme weakness. Travelers experiencing symptoms of the plague should seek immediate medical attention.
China: Tourists should avoid several areas of Hong Kong, where two months of protests and demonstrations show no signs of letting up. Even a recent security sweep of encampments on Argyle Street in the Mong Kok area of Hong Kong has not lessened tension there. Demonstrators have occupied the commercial neighborhood since September. The Nathan Road area remains active with demonstrators, and though there have been official orders to disperse in some areas, many of the activists refuse to leave, causing an increase in tensions with authorities.
Japan: Travelers should use caution while visiting entertainment districts in Tokyo, particularly Roppongi and Shinjuku’s Kabuki-cho, where drink-spiking leads to robbery and sexual or physical assault. The attacks happen after a drug is slipped into a drink, rendering the victim unconscious or severely judgment-impaired for hours. The perpetrators then coax the victims into withdrawing large sums of money from ATMs or sexually assault them.
Compiled from news services and travel sources. For updates, check with the State Department at 888-407-4747, travel.state.gov.