JOHANNESBURG – If you’re a professional heading abroad for business this winter, there’s more to think about than flights and meeting agendas. The South African Medical Association (SAMA) recently shared a warning about rising flu cases across the country. For business travellers, this adds an important layer of risk to what might seem like a routine trip.
It’s currently winter, and South Africa is deep into its flu season, which, according to travel risk experts Global Rescue, is a key factor in increased health risks while travelling. While respiratory infections are present across the globe, the likelihood of catching something spikes in places with poor air quality and during peak flu periods. And peak flu periods change depending on where you’re going.
In the Southern Hemisphere, including South Africa, flu season typically runs from April to September. In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s most active between October and March, while in tropical regions, influenza can circulate all year long. So, if you’re jetting off to attend meetings in London, visit clients in Nairobi or attend a summit in New York, it’s worth checking what flu activity is like at your destination.
Travel itself already places a strain on the body. Long hours, less sleep, high stress levels, packed itineraries and prolonged exposure in crowded environments (like airports, airplanes and business venues) create the perfect storm for respiratory illnesses to spread. It’s no wonder why so many people find themselves under the weather halfway through a trip, and in a worst-case scenario, seriously ill while far from home.
Herman Heunes, GM of Corporate Traveller, believes this is a conversation companies need to prioritise with staff before they leave. “It’s important to check in with travellers about their current health, whether they’ve had their seasonal flu vaccination and if they have any pre-existing conditions that might put them at higher risk,” he says. According to the Journal of Travel Medicine, individuals at increased risk of influenza include those at the extremes of age and those who are immunocompromised.
He also emphasises the importance of having proper travel health insurance. “We’ve seen how unpredictable international travel can be, especially when health is involved. Ensuring your employees have the right insurance in place is just step one. Encouraging open dialogue about their wellbeing is just as critical,” he explains.
It’s also worth noting that flu vaccinations can provide significant protection – not just for the traveller, but for everyone they come into contact with abroad and back home. Health experts recommend getting vaccinated at least two weeks before departure to give the body time to build immunity. For those travelling to the Northern Hemisphere later in the year, a second flu jab aligned to that region’s seasonal strains might even be necessary.
When employees get sick mid-trip, the ripple effects can be costly, from cancelled or postponed meetings to extended accommodation and return delays. Companies who depend on their teams to represent them globally can’t afford to overlook these very real risks.
“There’s a human side to business travel that we must not forget,” Heunes adds. “Your traveller’s health isn’t a personal matter alone; it’s part of your duty of care responsibility to them.”