Ebola is ‚Äúmisunderstood”, travellers "over-reacting"
The danger of Ebola to Australian travellers to East Africa is “misunderstood”, according to a Mombasa-based Security Spokesman for the Kenya Tourism Federation, Mike Kirkland.
Kirkland, currently in Australia, prompted to remark on the deadly disease after discovering Australians were cancelling trips to Kenya fearing contracting Ebola, saying he believed concerns had caused some “over-reactions”.
In an attempt to educate the public about the size of Africa and in particular, the whereabouts of Kenya, in addition to there being no flights from West Africa to East Africa, Kirkland said “there is no west to east traffic in Africa as people would not only have to travel 5,350km with no major roads but would also have to cross a war zone”.
"Anyone who has any contact with West Africa is currently being screened at Nairobi Airport and can be referred to Kenya's world class medical facilities, unlike Liberia or Sierra Leone,” Kirkland said.
"The most important aspect is that Ebola infection is not airborne and needs contact with body fluids. The only people getting Ebola are medical personnel or relatives who have been in direct contact with the victims of this disease. Like Aids, you cannot catch it except by direct contact.
"When AIDS was first diagnosed, people were as ill-informed as they are about Ebola. These days no one has any worries about catching AIDS during their visit to Africa as, like Ebola, it requires direct contact. "
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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