Niël Terblanché
The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) has issued a warning to transport and logistics companies that work with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) about the outbreak of Mpox.
The alarm was raised by the WBCG’s CEO, Mbahupu Tjivikua, on Monday.
The warning comes at a challenging time for the region, with multiple crises such as a severe drought, ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the emergence of a more dangerous strain of the Mpox virus.
Tjivikua said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently declared the ongoing Mpox cases in Africa a public health emergency, following a surge in reported cases across the continent.
“With confirmed Mpox cases in the DRC and South Africa, the WBCG urges truck drivers, transporters, and freight forwarders operating in the region to exercise heightened caution and adhere to prescribed safety protocols,” he said.
He stressed the importance of maintaining calm while navigating this outbreak and encouraged industry stakeholders to take advantage of the wellness clinics established along key corridors.
“These clinics, supported by SADC, offer free medical assistance and are strategically located to serve those travelling through high-risk areas,” he said.
According to Tjivikua, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has reinforced its capacity to detect and manage Mpox cases at all entry points, implementing a robust surveillance system in alignment with regional strategies.
“The WBCG has been instrumental in supporting these efforts through its wellness services, which have expanded to address a broad range of health issues affecting the transport and logistics industry,” he added.
The warning from the Walvis Bay Corridor Group comes at a time when the SADC region is dealing with multiple challenges, including an ongoing drought, protracted fighting in the eastern DRC, and the outbreak of a new and more deadly strain of the Mpox virus.
SADC heads of state and government gathered in Harare, Zimbabwe, over the past weekend to confront pressing regional challenges.
During the SADC meeting, the organisation’s executive secretary, Elias Magosi, extended solidarity to member states impacted by Mpox and highlighted the importance of coordinated regional responses to the various challenges facing the community.
Magosi said the region will collectively continue to battle the interlinked crises of health emergencies, conflict, and environmental stress.
Tjivikua said that the precautionary measures advocated by the WBCG are critical to safeguarding public health and ensuring the continuity of vital economic activities.
