Mpox a 'minimal' threat to tourists in Southern Africa, assures Satsa

The Southern African private sector inbound tourism trade association Satsa has reassured that the risk to tourists in the region from the Mpox disease is low. This reassurance followed the recent declaration, by the World Health Organisation (WHO), that the current outbreak of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo was a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

In its statement, Satsa recognised the seriousness of the PHEIC declaration, and expressed full support of the WHO’s actions to halt the spread of Mpox. But the association also expressed concern at “inaccurate and misleading reporting” of the current Mpox outbreak.

“Satsa recognises the need for international cooperation to address the outbreak effectively,” assured association CEO David Frost. “However, media narratives that generalise and stigmatise the entire continent do not contribute to resolving the crisis. It is critical to understand that Africa is not a country, but a vast continent – geographically larger than China, the United States, and Europe combined. Each of its 54 countries has unique environments and health contexts. Painting the entire continent as a high-risk zone due to a localised outbreak is not only factually wrong, it is damaging to crucial tourism economies across Africa.”

The association stressed that Southern Africa was still a “safe and desirable” destination for travellers. The region’s tour operators were committed to the highest safety standards. They were also, in close cooperation with the local authorities, monitoring the Mpox situation.

“Unnecessary fearmongering is counterproductive,” the association asserted. “Satsa urges media outlets to provide accurate, contextualised and responsible reporting that avoids harmful generalisations.”

While there was a need for global vigilance regarding Mpox, there was minimal risk to tourists undertaking standard tourist activities in the unaffected areas of Southern Africa. At this time, there was no need for travellers to the region to alter or cancel their travel plans. Satsa advised tourists to keep themselves informed, using reliable sources like the WHO or the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.