THL advises against all travel to Southern Africa in light of new virus variant
THL recommends avoiding all travel to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Eswatini (Swaziland) from the 26th November 2021.
In addition, THL recommends that all who have returned to Finland after spending time in any of the countries mentioned above in the past two weeks should
- get tested for coronavirus immediately upon arrival, regardless of whether they have received a full series of coronavirus vaccinations, or whether they have any symptoms suggesting a coronavirus infection.
- avoid social contacts and take a coronavirus test if they feel even the slightest symptoms suggesting a coronavirus infection after returning to Finland. If symptoms emerge, it is a good idea to get tested again, even you were tested already upon arrival.
The reason for the recommendations is the new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 that has been detected in South Africa and Botswana. Several changes have been detected in the coronavirus spike protein, which is why it is suspected that the variant can spread more effectively than the other variants.
So far, there have been no indications that the new virus variant would have spread to Finland.
“We do not know yet if the new variant is capable of bypassing the immune protection of the coronavirus vaccines. Avoiding travel to the countries of Southern Africa and taking a coronavirus test are precautions that we recommend until we get more information on the variant”, says Senior Expert Jari Jalava at THL.
Coronavirus tests for travellers arriving from Southern African countries are being conducted for the prevention of generally hazardous communicable diseases and they are free of charge for those being tested in public health care regardless of nationality.
THL strongly recommends taking part in these additional tests, but participation is voluntary.
First signs of new variant came in November
The first observations of the South African virus variant were made in November in South Africa and Botswana, as well as in Hong Kong, where the variant was found in a traveller arriving from South Africa.
“The new variant could be linked with the rising number of cases in South Africa. Further research is now being conducted in South Africa, and we will report on the results as soon as we get them. Also being evaluated in the studies is if the variant can circumvent the protection offered by the vaccines”, says Senior Expert Carita Savolainen-Kopra at THL.
The variant can be identified through sequencing, which is done in Finland based on random samples and, for example, on positive samples of coronavirus tests conducted in connection with arrival in the country.
The World Health Organisation is currently evaluating the impact that the variant may have on the global pandemic situation and is considering the possibility of adding the variant to the variant of concern (VOC) or variant of interest (VOI) list for monitoring.
“Based on the current incomplete information it is difficult to evaluate what kind of possible potential for spread the new variant has on the global level”, Savolainen-Kopra says.
She points out that the emergence of virus variants is very common as such and is part of the normal rotation of viruses. Variants can spread and usurp earlier forms of the virus or be overcome by other variants, as has been seen multiple times also during the coronavirus pandemic.
Further information:
Travel and the coronavirus pandemic
Jari Jalava (travel instructions)
Senior Expert
THL
Carita Savolainen-Kopra (virus variants)
Senior Expert
THL
Hanna Nohynek (coronavirus vaccines)
Chief Physician
THL
[email protected]
