In recent weeks both Peru and Bolivia have experienced unrest, therefore we advise travellers to constantly check the situation.   Bolivia is especially unstable at present, travellers are advised to avoid the Santa Cruz area and are strongly advised to avoid all street protests. American airlines have suspended flights to Bolivia. Street protests are expected to continu. On 9th October the Shining Path( Maoist terrorist group, highly active in 80 & 90s but dormant for years) killed 13 policeman and further attacks are likley. Travellers in Peru  should research the situation. 

Due to the current political situation in Zimbabwe we advise that all travel should be carefully researched and all street protest must be avoided.  

Bird Flu (H5N1) continues to spread across the globe, but at present it is not posing a serious risk to travellers. Travellers are urged to avoid live poulty markets in SE Asia and to continue to check for developments on www.who.int and www.fco.gov.uk.  If you are travelling in an area where an outbreak occurs seek advise immediatly and simple precautions such as the use of alcohol hand gels are strongly recommended to prevent infection.

Objective continues to be concerned over the continued threat of a terrorist attack against tourists in Thailand.  Whilst to date Islamist attacks have been confined to the southern provinces, intellligence assessments are warning of the growing possibility of attacks against the major cities and popular beach resorts. Objective would urge travellers to avoid very popular nightclubs and restaurants in the most popuar beach resorts.  The threat from terrorism is Indonesia is also high, please check FCO and Australian government web sites for advise. Thailand is highly unstable politically with countless demonstrations and the imminent threat of another military coup. Travellers are generally unaffected so long as they avoid political activities.   

Fighting has broken out on the Thailand/Cambodia border, travellers are advised to avoid the area of land near to the Preah Vihear Temple, the temple ruins currently remains closed to tourists and tension remains high in this area.

The terrorist threat level in Ski Lanka is high, whilst most of the terorrist activity is in the north and east a series of bombs attacks have occurred in Colombo. Travellers should avoid the north and east of the country where fighting between the Government and Tamil seperatist is concentrated.  Terrorism remains an ongoing problem in some areas of India, travellers are urged to research the current situation. 

In South America, Central America and South East Asia there has been a  dramatic rise in cases of Dengue Fever, the virus is caused by mosquitos which bite in the day time  Symptons are headaches, nausea and sore joints.   The best form of protection is using insect repellant with a high DEET content & covering up to prevent being bitten. No vaccinne is available. If concerned see a doctor immediately.  In the vast majority of cases a full recovery occurrs within a month. Paraquay has declared a state of emergency and alot of cases have been reported in Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia. In September 2008 Fiji also reported a substantial increase. See www.who.int  for details and advice.  

In India and parts of SE Asia there has been an increase in the mosquito bourne Chikungunya Fever, standard bite prevention measures are advised and please research threat if travelling to an infected area. 

See www.bbc.co.uk/longwaydown - see Objective training Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on the Long Way Down.