Ebola in Africa
We are booked for classic safari starting Sept 17, 2014. Everything I have heard is making me more nervous about travelling to/around Africa. I am even considering canceling, even though I have been looking forward to this trip.
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People have said this in a variety of ways ... but the basic fact is this: Africa is not a "safe" place. If you are not willing to accept some risk, go to Honolulu. On the other hand, Tauck will take the best possible care of you. There is no way I would have missed this trip unless "Tauck" cancelled it.
Like other people have said, Tauck only operates in South and East Africa; the reports of the outbreak are only in West Africa. As part of our regular office operations, Tauck's Global Response Team and its many members monitor all events and news on an ongoing basis, and we will closely monitor this situation as well. We will continue to monitor all media and the latest updates on related announcements, and are in contact with our suppliers and security sources. At this time, based on all the information we have received, we are scheduled to operate as planned on all upcoming departures. We will provided an immediate update if there are any changes.
I hope this helps!
-Tim
One of my coworkers (from the hospital) mentioned today, that I should make sure I don't have "IT", before I return to work post vacation.
I should check about the cancellation policy. We don't have Tauck insurance.
I am going to a travel doctor on Monday to get info about what else I need to protect myself from other disease hazards-(malaria, etc.)
Keep checking. According to something I found on Fox, British Airways announced that it is suspending flights to and from Liberia and Sierra Leone until the situation improves. All the airlines are taking extra precautions. Lufthansa notes that "there is no risk of getting infected by the Ebola virus via air circulation during flight. Crews on Brussels Airlines flights have access to special thermoscans to check passengers' temperature, if they feel it's necessary. Air France has put an Ebola plan into action that includes medical protection kits and disinfectant gel available to the crew. Passengers leaving Africa must fill out a questionnaire when entering the airport. They then have their temperature taken. They are only given a boarding pass if no symptoms are present. If things get worse other carriers may follow BA's lead.
But remember, Ebola only spreads with direct contact/transfer of blood or body fluids. No airborne transmission has been documented. Except for doctors and others in close/direct contact with those infected with Ebola, it is doubtful that the people being infected are air travelers. Again, it would be similar to leaving Los Angeles for Australia or Japan because one or more people have contracted Ebola in New York.
Although the virus is not currently in Kenya, the WHO is worried about all the internal flights in Africa transporting people from the infected regions in west Africa to Kenya (70 flights a week). With that many flights, there is a good chance that 1 or more people infected with the virus will end up in Kenya. My main concern right now is the airport in Nairobi.
However, I'd love to read your petition to the insurance company in which you request a refund based upon a virus that is over 3,000 miles away....Leo M
Cheers,
Jan