With all the breaking news worldwide regarding the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Bushtracks Africa understands your concerns. However, we are committed to providing the most update information in order for you to be able to alleviate your fears of the possibility of contracting this in the areas in which we operate (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Malawi).
If you are in the process of planning a trip to these areas - here is some information on how the disease spreads and distances regarding the outbreak area and the areas where you are traveling to.
How Ebola Spreads
The CDC and the World Health Organization say it’s very unlikely that travellers, even going to West Africa, could contract the disease, since they would have to come in direct contact with an infected and symptomatic person’s blood, organs or other bodily secretions.
Countries Affected
The countries affected by Ebola at the moment are all in the very western part of the African continent - Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Subsequently, flights from affected areas have been cancelled and all countries in the Southern region are on high alert and have stepped up measures to screen travelers and identify potential victims. The major hub airports on the continent, such as Johannesburg, Livingstone, Victoria Falls, Maun and Lilongwe, have also stepped up measures to screen travelers and identify potential victims. Zambia for example, has issued a moratorium that all guests travelling from these countries apply for a Visa prior to arrival. Part of the issuing of this visa, is proving with a medical certificate that they are not infected. They have also instituted compulsory "hand washing" in a specified solution as well as training ground staff on how to detect somebody that is infected as well as prevention. Bushtracks Africa and Sun International staff have also undergone this training. Botswana has issued a complete ban on any person travelling into their country that originates or has travelled from any of the effected countries. They have also banned any Copper exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to their country until the virus can be brought under control.
As most of you know Africa is a very large continent. To provide some prospective, the distance between the country of Sierra Leone and Johannesburg, South Africa is 3,581 miles. In East Africa, Tanzania is 3,267 miles from Guinea.
At this time, trip cancellation insurance will likely not cover you because of an outbreak in a country that you are not visiting, that is, unless you purchase a policy that includes a cancel for any reason clause.
As a long time operator in Southern Africa and with our guests' safety in mind, we will continue to monitor our resources including the World Heath Department, CDC, the US State Department and the various health departments in our destinations. Should we receive any information that impacts any of your travelers’ plans we will contact you and address the situation.
If you are in the process of planning a trip to these areas - here is some information on how the disease spreads and distances regarding the outbreak area and the areas where you are traveling to.
How Ebola Spreads
The CDC and the World Health Organization say it’s very unlikely that travellers, even going to West Africa, could contract the disease, since they would have to come in direct contact with an infected and symptomatic person’s blood, organs or other bodily secretions.
Countries Affected
The countries affected by Ebola at the moment are all in the very western part of the African continent - Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Subsequently, flights from affected areas have been cancelled and all countries in the Southern region are on high alert and have stepped up measures to screen travelers and identify potential victims. The major hub airports on the continent, such as Johannesburg, Livingstone, Victoria Falls, Maun and Lilongwe, have also stepped up measures to screen travelers and identify potential victims. Zambia for example, has issued a moratorium that all guests travelling from these countries apply for a Visa prior to arrival. Part of the issuing of this visa, is proving with a medical certificate that they are not infected. They have also instituted compulsory "hand washing" in a specified solution as well as training ground staff on how to detect somebody that is infected as well as prevention. Bushtracks Africa and Sun International staff have also undergone this training. Botswana has issued a complete ban on any person travelling into their country that originates or has travelled from any of the effected countries. They have also banned any Copper exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to their country until the virus can be brought under control.
As most of you know Africa is a very large continent. To provide some prospective, the distance between the country of Sierra Leone and Johannesburg, South Africa is 3,581 miles. In East Africa, Tanzania is 3,267 miles from Guinea.
At this time, trip cancellation insurance will likely not cover you because of an outbreak in a country that you are not visiting, that is, unless you purchase a policy that includes a cancel for any reason clause.
As a long time operator in Southern Africa and with our guests' safety in mind, we will continue to monitor our resources including the World Heath Department, CDC, the US State Department and the various health departments in our destinations. Should we receive any information that impacts any of your travelers’ plans we will contact you and address the situation.
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