Health ministry mandates all Nigerian-bound travellers to fill health declaration form following outbreak of monkeypox

The Ministry of Health has issued a new directive requiring all travellers entering Nigeria to fill and submit a health declaration form, following the outbreak of monkeypox (Mpox) in some parts of Africa.

The measure, which is aimed at curbing the spread of the disease is now effective for passengers arriving at the airports in Abuja and Lagos.

Travellers can access and fill out the form online or opt to print and complete a physical copy. The ministry strongly encourages all passengers to submit the form online before departing their locations to avoid delays upon arrival in Nigeria.

“The Nigeria Health Declaration Form must be filled out by all incoming passengers to Nigeria. Paper-based versions will be provided on arrival in Nigeria for passengers unable to fill the form,” the ministry stated on its website. “This form is an instituted measure to prevent the spread, monitor the possible importation of infectious diseases, and aid the control of disease outbreaks, thereby protecting the health of all Nigerians.”

The form requires travellers to provide personal information, as well as details of their travel, health, and contact history over the 21 days preceding their arrival in Nigeria.

This move follows warnings from the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) that it may declare a public health emergency of continental security (PHECS) over Mpox in the coming week, due to the spread of a new variant known as Clade Ib, particularly in Congo. Since mid-July, cases of the new variant have also been reported in Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.

Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, noted on Thursday, August 8, that reported cases on the continent had risen by 79 percent from 2022 to 2023 and by 160 percent from 2023 to 2024.