In Tunisia, two Austrian tourists driving a 4-wheel-drive vehicle in the southern desert were kidnapped in late February 2008. A U.S.-designated terrorist organization claimed responsibility and, at press time, was demanding the release of jailed militants in Tunisia and Algeria.

In Calahorra, northern Spain, in March, the Basque separatist group ETA set off a car bomb in front of a police station and also assassinated a former politician, raising fears of attacks on tourist areas this summer. It is believed ETA is trying to pressure the government into a peace deal.

Since late 2007, emerging yellow fever disease has been reported in monkeys and humans in many South American countries. On March 3, 2008, the Argentina Ministry of Health reported their first official human case of yellow fever for 2008 in Misiones Province, Argentina.