Faced with this upsurge in the Mpox monkeypox epidemic, the Director-General of the World Health Organization has declared the situation a public health emergency of international concern.
New sanitary control measures in Nigeria
Against this backdrop, the Federal Ministry of Health of Nigeriathrough Port Health Services, has introduced a new requirement for the entry of all passengers and travelers to Nigeria from August 11, 2024. This measure consists of a compulsory health declaration form for all passengers arriving in the country. As a reminder, Indonesia has also imposed this kind of approach recently.
Details of the Nigerian health declaration form
The health declaration form must be completed online before boarding the plane to Nigeria. It initially concerns passengers bound for the airports of Lagos (LOS) and Abuja (ABV) FORM. Nigerian health authorities strongly recommend that travelers complete this form before departure to avoid delays or refusal of entry. It will still be possible to fill it in on arrival.
Typically, this form asks for the last countries visited, possible symptoms in the last 21 days and a contact in Nigeria.
This new requirement is aimed at strengthening epidemiological surveillance at the country's entry points for early detection of potential cases of Mpox, particularly those linked to clade I, which exhibits increased virulence. Dr Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, stresses that this measure is part of a broader strategy to combat the spread of the virus and protect public health.
Epidemiological situation in Nigeria
As of August 10, 2024, Nigeria has recorded 786 suspected cases of Mpox, 39 confirmed cases and no deaths since the beginning of the year. These figures are part of an upward trend observed for several years, with a peak in 2022.
Additional vaccine doses for Nigeria
On August 8, 2024, Nigeria received a shipment of 10,000 doses of Jynneos (MVA) Mpox vaccine, donated by the US government. These vaccines will be deployed in five states with the highest incidence of cases. They will be administered in two doses to 5,000 people considered most at risk, including close contacts of Mpox cases and front-line healthcare workers.
Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has issued an emergency use authorization for the Mpox vaccine, facilitating its rapid deployment.
Comparison with other affected African countries
The table below compares the epidemiological situation and measures taken in various African countries affected by the Mpox epidemic in 2024:
| Country | Suspected cases | Confirmed cases | Deaths | Specific measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 786 | 39 | 0 | Mandatory health form, targeted vaccination |
| GROUND FLOOR | 13 722 | 2 643 | 439 | Extended vaccination campaign |
| Cameroon | 312 | 28 | 7 | Strengthening epidemiological surveillance |
| Ghana | 98 | 12 | 1 | Training health care staff |
| Ivory Coast | 67 | 9 | 0 | Raising public awareness |
The World Health Organization is working closely with national authorities and partners to strengthen response measures in affected countries and intensify preparedness in countries that have not yet reported cases. The organization is also working to improve access to vaccines, particularly for low-income countries, in collaboration with partners such as GAVI and UNICEF.
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