05 May 2010

South Africa: Rift Valley Fever outbreak - WHO is warning tourists to take precautions

Due to the recent Rift Valley Fever outbreak in South Africa the World Health Organisation (WHO) is warning people travelling to South Africa about the risk of contracting the desease.
The Rift Valley fever outbreak (Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape, & North West Province) has currently (05 May 2010) infected around 170 people and led to deaths of at least 15 people. WHO is not advising any travel restrictions for South Africa, but it is warning tourists to take precautions. Travellers in South Africa are being advised to avoid contact with raw animal products and to cover up against mosquitoes which may carry the viral disease.

WHO advises no international travel restriction to or from South Africa. However, WHO recommends that visitors to South Africa, especially those intending to visit farms and/or game reserves, avoid coming into contact with animal tissues or blood, avoid drinking unpasteurized or uncooked milk or eating raw meat. All travellers should take appropriate precautions against mosquito bites (use of mosquito nets, insect repellents). Travel medicine professionals and travel medicine services should be aware of the current RVF situation in South Africa in order to provide advice and care accordingly. [src.]

WHO update from 12 May 2010:
[...] WHO advises no international travel restriction to or from South Africa. However, WHO recommends that visitors to South Africa, especially those intending to visit farms and/or game reserves, avoid coming into contact with animal tissues or blood, avoid drinking unpasteurized or uncooked milk or eating raw meat.[...] [src.]

1 comment:

  1. Tourists visiting South Africa for the FIFA World Cup are not at risk of contracting Rift Valley Fever provided they avoid rural areas and farmland, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases said on Thursday. http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/SWC-tourists-not-at-risk-from-RVF-20100506

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