Myanmar Introduces Mandatory Mpox Health Form for Travelers
Myanmar joins Philippines, Nigeria, Indonesia, and Brunei in requiring a Mpox health declaration form for all incoming travelers amid the WHO's recent PHEIC declaration.
On August 22, 2024, the Myanmar government implemented a new health requirement mandating that all entering travelers complete a dedicated Mpox health declaration form.
Following the Philippines, Nigeria, Indonesia, and Brunei, this decision comes as the international community responds to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 14, 2024, due to rising cases of Mpox clade 1 in Central Africa.
Epidemiological Context
The WHO raised the alert level due to the re-emergence of Mpox clade 1 in Central Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries, as well as the emergence of a new, potentially more transmissible and lethal strain (clade 1b). The goal is to coordinate a unified global response to the growing threat posed by Mpox.
Details of the Mpox Health Form
Myanmar’s newly introduced Mpox health form, to be completed by all arriving travelers, consists of several sections designed to assess the risk of virus importation:
Personal Information
Full name
Date of birth
Passport number
Nationality
Country of residence
Travel History
Countries visited in the past 21 days
Dates of stay in each country
Purpose of travel (tourism, business, humanitarian, etc.)
Risk Assessment
Contact with confirmed or suspected Mpox cases
Attendance at high-risk gatherings or events
Travel to forested areas or contact with wild animals
Current Health Status
Presence of symptoms consistent with Mpox (fever, skin rashes, etc.)
Relevant medical history
The Mpox form required upon arrival in Myanmar
Additional Screening Measures
Beyond the health declaration form, Myanmar has introduced supplementary control measures:
Systematic temperature checks upon arrival
Visual inspection for potential skin rashes
Immediate isolation of suspect cases for thorough medical evaluation
Traveler Implications
Incoming travelers to Myanmar must now allocate extra time to complete the Mpox health form. The Ministry of Health advises printing the form before departure, though paper copies will also be available on arrival.
Download Myanmar Mpox Health Form
Epidemiological Rationale
The introduction of this health form is part of a broader strategy to monitor and prevent the importation of Mpox clades 1 and 1b. While much of Southeast Asia avoided significant Mpox outbreaks during the previous wave—primarily linked to clade 2—the region’s proximity to densely populated countries with vulnerable health systems necessitates heightened vigilance. Geographical and epidemiological realities underscore the urgency of these measures.
