The African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA) has said it has confidence in African health authorities’ handling of the Ebola outbreak, and reminded travellers that the WHO advises against travel restrictions.
The statement from chief executive Virginia Messina comes as the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain, which began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in May, has spread to Kenya and Nigeria. Tour operators selling East and West Africa face clients weighing whether to travel.
“Having travelled through Africa this week, I have personally seen measures in place,” Messina said. She added that “the swift identification, isolation and monitoring of cases in Kenya demonstrates that established public health measures are working.”
Kenya has introduced contact tracing, isolation arrangements and enhanced screening after confirming imported cases. The country has been courting visitors, including with its TouristTap cashless payment platform for the tourism sector.
ATTA welcomed a high-level virtual meeting of African health ministers that the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) will convene on October 28 to strengthen coordination across borders.
“We would also remind travellers that Ebola is not an airborne disease and that the World Health Organization continues to advise against travel restrictions,” Messina said.
“It is vital that we respond with vigilance and accurate information so that travel can continue safely in line with official guidance,” she added.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 9,582 confirmed cases and 4,605 confirmed deaths as of October 20. Individual governments may still impose their own entry and screening measures.
ATTA is a trade association representing tour operators, hotels, lodges, destinations and other travel businesses that sell Africa, with members across the continent and in source markets.
