The Department of Health has undertaken to increase the number of people working at South African airports to stop the Ebola virus from entering SA.
This follows an exposé by Tourism Update that Ebola checks were not being adequately implemented by officials. (See report on October 13)
When alerted to the problems, Health Department Spokesperson, Joe Maila, responded: “We have noted with concern reports that suggest that health questionnaire forms are not taken back from travellers as expected. We had since communicated this concern to officials at the airports and we believe the matter is now resolved. We will also increase the number of people working at the airport to ensure that indeed surveillance efforts are not compromised at all.”
According to Maila, travellers are screened at points of entry, especially at OR Tambo International Airport and Lanseria. “We shall continue to do so as part of our surveillance mechanism to prevent the importation of the virus into the country,” he said.
Alerted to the incidents, Airports Company South Africa said the department was responsible for screening processes for Ebola and other communicable diseases. “[Acsa] continues to work closely with the Department of Health and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) in monitoring health risks posed by the outbreak of Ebola. The company’s international airports are working with health officials to make sure that the correct measures are taken to effectively protect our airports and our airport users,” Acsa said in a statement.
To provide accurate and up-to-date information for people travelling to and from Africa, Tourism Update has produced an interactive map. To view the map, click here.
Have any of your clients reported inadequate screening at SA airports? Alert us by emailing editor@tourismupdate.co.za.