A group of tourists enjoys a game drive in the Chobe region of Botswana. Picture: Unsplash
Southern Africa remains a safe and welcoming destination for tourism with countries in the region having measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus.
This is according to the SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance, who issued a statement reassuring tourists that travelling in the region remained safe amid the recent global health declarations regarding mpox.
On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the second time in two years.
This was followed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declaring a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) on August 13, 2024.
These declarations were prompted by the emergence of a new strain (clade Ib) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its spread to neighbouring countries.
Following these declarations, the tourism alliance emphasised the region’s swift and coordinated response to the situation, highlighting the minimal risk to travellers.
Tshifhiwa Tshivengwa, Chairperson of the SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance, said they took these declarations seriously and commended the proactive approach of global and regional health authorities.
“However, it’s crucial to understand that the risk to travellers in Southern Africa remains low. Our member countries are implementing robust measures to manage and mitigate any potential spread of the virus,” he said.
The tourism alliance highlighted that its member states responded swiftly to the situation, with South Africa implementing enhanced surveillance and contact tracing protocols following 24 cases.
Botswana intensified screening for mpox at selected ports of entry, including Kazungula, Maun airport, and Gaborone Airport, demonstrating proactive measures to prevent the spread of the virus while Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi have no reported cases but have heightened surveillance and preparedness measures.
The tourism alliance added that the risk of mpox transmission in Southern African countries were lower than in many traveller source markets, and typical tourist activities did not put travellers at high risk for contracting mpox.
“As of August 2024, there are no widespread travel restrictions related to mpox for Southern African countries. Only Canada has issued a level 2 advisory, simply recommending realistic precautions.
“Safari and wildlife viewing activities are safe. There is no increased risk of mpox transmission from being in forests or around wildlife,” said the tourism alliance.
The alliance said that tourism was vital for economies and conservation efforts and encouraged travellers to maintain their plans to visit the region while staying informed about health guidelines.
“We want to reassure our global partners and potential visitors that Southern Africa continues to offer safe, unforgettable experiences. Our member countries have taken proactive steps to manage health concerns, ensuring that tourism activities remain low-risk and enjoyable,” said Tshivengwa.