In light of recent global health declarations regarding Mpox, the SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance has reiterated that Southern Africa remains a safe and welcoming destination for tourism.
It further emphasised the regions swift and coordinated response to the situation while highlighting the minimal risk to travellers.
Last week (August 14), the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern for the second time in two years. This was followed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declaring the outbreak a public health emergency of continental security the previous day (August 13).
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.
Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa , Chairperson of the SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance, said: We take these declarations seriously and commend the proactive approach of global and regional health authorities. However, its 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.
