Vaccination: Government eases concerns over tourists cancelling trips

Namibia has not recorded any cases of the novel monkeypox (mpox), which has been declared a global health emergency, while Namibian truck drivers and travellers planning to visit affected countries have been urged to get vaccinated.

However, cancellations of trips by tourists travelling to Namibia have been noted. Gitta Paetzold, CEO of the Hotels Association of Namibia (HAN), urged Namibian authorities to stay informed of the latest developments and not tolerate misleading information or scare talk.

Tourism Minister Pohamba Hifeta stressed that Namibia remains a safe destination for potential tourists as no cases have been reported.

“There is no need to panic at all.”

Hifeta said precautionary measures had been taken and urged Namibians travelling to affected countries to get vaccinated.

Global health issues

On August 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern for the second time in two years.

Subsequently, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the incident a Public Health Emergency on the African Continent (PHECS) on August 13.

These measures are due to the emergence of a new strain (clade Ib) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its spread to neighbouring countries.

The Ministry of Health’s executive director, Ben Nangombe, said the actions followed a significant increase in MPOx cases globally and on the African continent, requiring a coordinated public health response.

“In Namibia, to date, our surveillance systems have not detected any suspected or confirmed cases of MPOX. However, these declarations highlight the need to strengthen our public health measures to be prepared, ready and responsive,” he said.

Understand the situation

Nangombe said he called on the public to remain calm and not spread misinformation and false information about the disease.

Paetzold added: “It is important that people know the truth about this disease, how it is transmitted and how to protect themselves from it. We are also pleased to hear that our authorities have taken steps to implement stricter health checks at certain border checkpoints.”

Border precautions

The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) reports that the outbreak is affecting Namibia’s trading partners in the Southern African Development Community region, with cases detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa.

“We therefore urge all stakeholders to remain highly alert and extremely cautious while adhering to the prescribed safety protocols. We further urge our stakeholders to remain calm and avoid panic while navigating the outbreak,” said WBCG CEO Mbahupu Tjivikua.

With support from the Southern African Development Community, WBCG has established cross-border health clinics along all major corridors connecting to neighbouring countries.

Safe destination

In light of recent global announcements regarding Salmonella typhi infection, the Southern African Development Community Business Council Tourism Alliance reiterates that Southern Africa remains a safe and popular tourist destination.

The alliance highlighted the region’s rapid and coordinated response to the outbreak and stressed that the risk to travelers was minimal.

“We take these statements seriously and commend global and regional health authorities for being proactive. However, we must understand that the risk to travellers from southern Africa remains low. Our member states are implementing strong measures to manage and mitigate any potential spread of the virus,” said Chairperson Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa.

National response

South African health authorities have reported 24 cases to date, mostly involving individuals who had physical contact with infected people. The country has implemented enhanced surveillance and contact tracing protocols.

Meanwhile, Botswana has stepped up MPox screening at some ports of entry.

Angola has not reported any cases of malaria but has stepped up its emergency response plans, with a particular focus on border controls with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Congo.

The Tourism Alliance said that southern African countries have not yet implemented large-scale travel restrictions due to MPOX.

A total of 15 countries in the African region have reported outbreaks of MPOX since January 2022. In the past seven months, a total of 14,250 confirmed cases and 456 deaths have been reported, with a case fatality rate of 3.2%, compared with 1,145 cases and 7 deaths in 2023. The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounts for more than 90% of the reported cases.

Symptoms include fever, severe headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain, and a rash that appears a few days after symptoms develop and turns into blisters and crusts over time. The rash tends to be concentrated on the face, palms, and soles of the feet. The mouth, genitals, and eyes may also be affected.