WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel alert on Monday warning U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling because of what it described as "increased terrorist threats."

"Current information suggests that (Islamic State), al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions," the department said in a warning posted on its website. A State Department official noted that the agency has issued worldwide travel alerts in the past and said this latest alert effectively updated past warnings.

(Reporting by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Eric Walsh)