THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT WEIGHS IN ON EBOLA AS BORDERS CLOSE AND MY TRIP IS ON SHAKY GROUND

My West/Central Africa trip is 3 months away.

I have never been to concerned about the Ebola issue in regards to cancelling my West Africa trip.  It is a virus that is qute hard to catch if you are doing all the right things and I figured as I am not with the truck as it passes through the infected countries of West Africa I have an even smaller chance of catching what has become a very critical outbreak, with the end no where near in sight as this is written.  But as the virus has now entered Nigeria and a few cases in the Congo Republic, travel warnings and restrictions are starting to happen to the countries that I AM actually travelling to.  The Australian Government has kept a close eye on the growing concern and have started to issue a travel bulletin just for the Ebola outbreak.  I have signed up to these updates and they seem to come through every 10 days or so at the moment and THIS is what has made me second guess if I should do the trip. 

The worrisome thing for me is I have done 5 of the 11 countries already.  I asked if I could join the tour further in from Ghana,  which is a meeting point, skipping at least 3 of the countries I have already visited.  I could do this and meet the tour in Nigeria, but there was no cost difference, no discount for this so it wasn’t a viable option.  The Australian Government have summerized what other Africa countries are doing to try and stop the Ebola virus spreading and this is what is currently having an impact on my tour.  It is more the border closures than the virus itself and if the borders are closed then we are going to have to fly over countries.  If we have to fly over the countries I HAVEN’T been to and I am going to travel through countries I HAVE been to, it just doesn’t make any sense and to be honest it will be a waste of money.  There is the final payment for the trip, the cost of the visas and the airfare to and from tour, not taking into account additional airfares should we have to fly unexpectedly, and knowing African airfares, they are not cheap.  Add all that up and it will just seem a waste of money at this time.  The countries will still be there next year, or the year after and I am seriously thinking of just cancelling my trip.  It is actually disappointing that I am thinking of it, as it was to be my ‘last’ trip for a while, but I think it would be even more disappointing being on the trip and being turned away from a border and having to skip what I actually came on the trip to do.   

Some exerts from  the latest update from the 20^th September.      

The outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) centred in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone continues to worsen and has led to over 2600 deaths. Limited outbreaks have also occurred in Nigeria and Senegal. The outbreak in West Africa is the most serious outbreak of EVD in recorded history.  An outbreak of a separate strain of EVD in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has led to a number of deaths.

The Ebola virus causes EVD in humans, with a case fatality rate of up to 90%. The fatality rate in the current outbreak, however, is closer to 50%. The symptoms of EVD are severe and can include high fever, muscle pain and weakness, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea and in some cases, internal and external bleeding. There is currently no vaccine to prevent Ebola and no proven safe and effective specific treatment for EVD. Care is largely supportive.

The virus is transmitted from infected animals to humans. Human to human transmission then occurs through direct contact with bodily fluids, including blood, faeces and sweat. Transmission can also occur through direct contact with the body of a deceased EVD patient.  On 8 August 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the current outbreak of EVD in West Africa is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The announcement is intended to bolster efforts in West Africa and garner the international community’s cooperation in containing and reducing this outbreak. The WHO has released an ‘Ebola Response Roadmap’ intended to guide and coordinate the international response to the EVD outbreak in west Africa. The Roadmap is available on the WHO web portal.  EVD is not highly contagious to the general population, as transmission requires direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or animal. However, the high rate of infection among frontline healthcare workers in the current outbreak is of significant concern. 

The Australian Government advises Australians to reconsider their need to travel to the three most affected countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. This reflects the seriousness of the outbreak, the challenges in containing it, the limited emergency care options, and the increasing travel restrictions which have significantly reduced freedom of movement in the region. Given these restrictions we strongly advise you to consider leaving these three countries while limited commercial flights continue to operate. Australian embassy personnel have deferred travel to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as a result of the EVD outbreak.  Sporadic demonstrations and local disturbances have been reported across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone related to the Ebola outbreak – be aware that these can turn violent. A team of eight health workers and journalists have been killed in a village in south east Guinea while on an outreach visit to raise awareness of EVD.  Australians in EVD affected countries will find it increasingly difficult and costly to leave Africa. Departure options from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are extremely limited. Only a small number of commercial airlines continue to operate out of these countries and most land borders are closed. Additionally, many countries in Africa, including the major travel hubs of Kenya and South Africa, have now banned entry to travellers who have been in EVD affected countries.

A summary of restrictions is detailed below, based on the latest confirmed advice from foreign governments. This list is not exhaustive. If you are planning travel, you should be aware that further restrictions may be put in place with little or no notice. Monitor the media closely and before you travel, confirm that borders remain open and/or check with your carrier for the most up to date information on flight schedules.

Affected countries

Guinea: Land borders with Senegal, Sierra Leone and Liberia have been closed. Health screenings have been introduced at border crossings. Travellers with fever or EVD-like symptoms are subject to quarantine or denied entry or exit from the country. Only a small number of carriers are continuing to operate commercial flights.

Sierra Leone: Land borders with Guinea and Liberia have been closed. A 60-90 day state of emergency has been imposed, which enables the military to enforce quarantine zones, restrict public movements and limit public gatherings. Health screenings have been introduced at border crossings. Travellers with fever or EVD-like symptoms are being subject to quarantine or denied entry or exit from the country. Only a small number of carriers are continuing to operate commercial flights. The Government of Sierra Leone announced a house-to-house sensitisation campaign which aims to provide the necessary tools to help individuals understand and prevent the infection. The campaign is scheduled for three days from 19 September 2014 to 21 September 2014. During this time everyone in Sierra Leone will be required to remain in their homes/accommodation.

Liberia: Liberian authorities have implemented a state of public emergency in response to the EVD outbreak. They have put in place a range of measures to combat the spread of the disease including closing the majority of Liberia’s borders, imposing restrictions on travel within the country, school closures and cancellation of public events. A nationwide curfew is in place between 11 pm and 6 am. Local emergency measures may change without warning. Travellers with fever or EVD-like symptoms are being subject to quarantine or being denied entry or exit from the country. Only a small number of carriers are continuing to operate commercial flights.

Nigeria: A small number of cases of EVD, including deaths, have been confirmed in Nigeria. To control the disease, Nigeria has introduced health screening measures for passengers arriving and departing at all airports in Nigeria.

Senegal: On 29 August, Senegal confirmed its first case of the disease. In an effort to restrict the spread of the disease, authorities banned the entry of any travellers who have been in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in the last 40 days. The land border with Guinea is closed. Sea and air borders are also closed to vessels and aircraft from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): The government of the DRC has confirmed that an EVD outbreak has occurred in Equateur Province in northern DRC. This is a separate strain of EVD from the west Africa outbreak. Travellers should carefully consider the likely impact on their travel plans of any restrictions on movement that may be imposed in the future.

Other African countries

Botswana: Authorities have banned entry of all travellers who have been in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone in the previous 30 days.

Cabo Verde: Travel is restricted into the country for non-resident foreigners who in the last 30 days have been to any of the countries affected by EVD.

Cameroon: All air, sea and land borders with Nigeria have temporarily been closed. Cameroon is using the temporary closure to establish medical teams and detections measures at entry points, including border checkpoints and the international airport.

Cote d’Ivoire: Authorities have banned entry for any traveller who has been in an affected country in the last three months (90 days). Land borders with Guinea and Liberia have also reportedly been closed.

Ethiopia: Authorities have introduced additional health screening and information requirements for travellers arriving by air and land. Travellers who register a high temperature during screening may be quarantined.

Equatorial Guinea: The issuance of visas has been suspended for those travelling from central and west Africa. The national carrier Ceiba Intercontinental has reportedly cancelled all incoming and outgoing flights to/from Sao Tome et Principe, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Republic of Congo, Benin, Togo, Nigeria and Gabon. In addition, permission for vessels travelling to or from west, central or east Africa to berth or depart from Malabo port has been suspended.

Gabon: All incoming flights from or via countries affected by EVD, including Nigeria, have been cancelled.

Guinea-Bissau: Authorities have closed the land border with Guinea, reinforced maritime patrols and airport controls, and suspended flights to and from affected countries.

Kenya: Entry of passengers travelling from or through Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, is suspended, with the exception of health professionals supporting efforts to contain the outbreak and Kenyan citizens.

Malawi: authorities have introduced health screening at airports and land borders for passengers arriving from west Africa.

Mali: Health screening at airports and land border crossings has been increased.

Namibia: Authorities have suspended the entry of passengers travelling from EVD affected countries, with the exception of Namibian citizens.

Rwanda: Authorities have banned entry of all travellers who have been in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in the previous 22 days. Health screening is in place at all border posts. Any non-residents with a fever of 37.5 degrees or above will not be allowed to enter Rwanda.

Seychelles: Citizens of any nationality who have visited Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will not be allowed to enter the Seychelles.

South Africa: Foreign citizens arriving from EVD affected countries in west Africa will not be allowed to enter South Africa. South African citizens will be allowed to re-enter, but will be subject to screening.

Uganda: Health screening is in place at Entebbe International Airport for all travellers from affected west African countries and from the DRC. An isolation centre has been established at the airport for any suspected EVD cases.

Zambia: The entry of travellers from affected west African countries is banned.

Zimbabwe: Passengers from EVD-affected countries are being identified and interviewed at airports and land borders. Travellers from west Africa are reportedly subject to a 21 day health surveillance

Airline suspensions

We are aware that the following airlines have changed or suspended flights in the west Africa region as a result of the EVD outbreak. Further suspensions may be put in place at short notice. Before travelling by air in Africa, we strongly recommend that you contact your airline for the latest information on service changes that may affect your plans.

Air France has suspended flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone.

British Airways has suspended flights Liberia and Sierra Leone until 31 March 2015.

Emirates Airlines has suspended flights to Guinea.

Kenyan Airways has temporarily suspended flights from Liberia and Sierra Leone into Nairobi.

Asky Airlines has suspended flights to and from Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Arik Air and Gambia Bird have suspended services to Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Ceiba Intercontinental has suspended flights to west African countries.

Korean Air has suspended flight to and from Kenya.

Royal Air Maroc and Brussels Airlines are operating on modified routes and schedules.

Delta has ceased flying to Monrovia, Liberia for commercial reasons not related to the EVD outbreak.

So there is a lot to consider and it is starting to become a no brainer.

But it doesn’t make it an easier to pull the plug.