EBOLA AND SOUTHERN AFRICA – KNOW THE FACTS

Having arrived in the US and having met numerous hunters fearful of Ebola and the affect the disease may have on their safari plans during 2015, we’ve decided to share the facts about the disease.

This may surprise you more than you’d think…

 THERE IS NO EBOLA IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

• Southern Africa has not had a single reported case of Ebola.
• By way of comparison, many first world countries such as England, Spain, and the United States have had more confirmed Ebola cases than Southern Africa.

THE RISK OF IT SPREADING TO SOUTH AFRICA IS VERY LOW

• South Africa is extremely far from the current outbreak in West Africa, where the disease is predominantly located in remote, rural areas.

• Countries neighboring the epicenter of the disease have helped to prevent its further spread.

• The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria and Senegal have all been declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation.

• South Africans do not participate in activities that have helped spread the disease elsewhere such as the ceremonial washing of the deceased and the eating of exotic bush meats such as bats.

AFRICA IS A HUGE CONTINENT – EUROPE AND SOUTH AMERICA ARE CLOSER TO THE OUTBREAK THAN SOUTH AFRICA SITUATED ON THE SOUTHERN MOST TIP OF AFRICA

• The Ebola outbreak is at its closest located ± 3500 Miles / 5000 KM’s from South Africa.

• By way of comparison, Spain, Italy, France, England and Brazil are closer to the outbreak than South Africa.

EBOLA IS NOT AS CONTAGIOUS AS YOU THINK

• Ebola is not air, water or food borne – excepting bats.
• Only symptomatic patients are contagious.
• Ebola can only be transmitted between mucous membranes or broken skin and the bodily fluids of a symptomatic patient (i.e. you can sit next to a person with Ebola and not contract the disease).

SOUTH AFRICA IS VERY PREPARED IN THE EVENT OF THE DISEASE SPREADING

• Surveillance of the disease has been strengthened at all ports of entry including the use of thermal scanners.
• The National Health Laboratory Service and National Institute of Communicable Diseases have intensified laboratory surveillance measures.
• All provinces in the country have trained outbreak response teams.
• Eleven hospitals have been designated to manage Ebola cases.
• A hundred nurses from the South African Military Health Service have been trained in special isolation techniques.
• Aero-medical evacuation teams are on standby to fetch Ebola patients using transport isolator and intensive care equipment.

These are the facts folks – We hope it puts your mind at ease, leaving you excited about your next African safari.

We look forward to hearing from you and seeing as many of you as possible over the course of the next month. The Dallas Safari Club show starts tomorrow – if you’re in the area, drop by and join us at the show, you will find us in the main hall at booth #4037.
For more information and current updates about John X Safaris; follow us on Twitter, connect with us on Facebook and visit our Website!