TRAVELERS FROM ANGOLA MUST SHOW YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CERTIFICATE OR RISK BEING SENT HOME
(Posted 19th March 2016)
Kenya was among the first East African countries to react to the growing Yellow Fever outbreak in Angola, which has already claimed in excess of 250 lives.
Travelers arriving in Nairobi from Luanda on the nonstop flights by Kenya Airways will either have to produce a yellow fever inoculation certificate – vaccinations are only becoming effective 10 days after getting the shot – or else be sent straight back home, to avoid a further infiltration of the disease into Kenya. At least two travelers from Angola who came to Kenya in recent days have been isolated after found to suffer from the disease.
Kenyan health authorities enforced the rule already yesterday at the international airports.
Kenyans and Kenyan residents intending to travel to Angola in turn now also require to show proof that they have been vaccinated, which, once done, lasts for 10 years.
Kenya, and other East African countries, are today better prepared than ever before to deal with such situations as a result of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which prompted health authorities to implement and absorb a range of recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta.
Travelers to Kenya from Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia are presently not required to show evidence of a Yellow Fever inoculation and Kenya has, apart from the two ‘imported’ cases been free of the disease for many years.
Tourism sources in Kenya were also quick to reassure visitors that no danger exists for them.
Travelers with questions are advised to consult their respective airlines and / or travel agents and get familiarised with international health recommendations for travel to Africa.
