Nigeria Imposes Mandatory Mpox Health Declaration for Air Travelers
Nigeria joins countries requiring a mandatory Mpox health declaration form for all arriving air passengers starting August 11, 2024, strengthening surveillance against the growing outbreak.
Amid a rising Mpox outbreak, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on August 14, 2024.
Nigeria Implements New Health Screenings
The Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health, via the Port Health Services, has mandated a new health declaration form for all air passengers entering Nigeria starting August 11, 2024. The form must be completed online prior to boarding, initially targeting arrivals at Lagos (LOS) and Abuja (ABV) airports. Travelers are strongly advised to submit the declaration before departure to avoid delays or entry refusal—though it may still be filled out upon arrival.
This measure joins similar initiatives recently introduced by Indonesia and follows WHO’s emergency declaration.
Key Features of the Nigeria Mpox Health Declaration
The online form requests travel history over the past 21 days, current health symptoms, and a Nigeria-based contact.
Its primary goal is to strengthen early detection of Mpox, particularly the more virulent clade I strain, at national entry points. Dr. Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the measure’s role in a broader containment strategy to curb viral spread and safeguard public health.
Submit Nigeria Mpox Health Declaration Form
Current Mpox Situation in Nigeria
As of August 10, 2024, Nigeria has recorded 786 suspected Mpox cases, including 39 confirmed cases and no deaths in 2024. The figures reflect an upward trend observed in recent years, with a significant spike in 2022.
US Donates 10,000 Mpox Vaccine Doses to Nigeria
On August 8, 2024, Nigeria received 10,000 Jynneos (MVA) vaccine doses, donated by the U.S. government. The shipment will target five high-incidence states, with vaccines administered in two doses to 5,000 at-risk individuals, including close contacts of Mpox cases and frontline healthcare workers. Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) granted emergency use authorization to expedite deployment.
Mpox Response Across Africa in 2024: A Country Comparison
The table below compares Mpox epidemiology and response measures across African countries in 2024:
Country | Suspected cases | Confirmed cases | Deaths | Key measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nigeria | 786 | 39 | 0 | Mandatory health form, targeted vaccination |
DRC | 13,722 | 2,643 | 439 | Expanded vaccination campaign |
Cameroon | 312 | 28 | 7 | Enhanced surveillance |
Ghana | 98 | 12 | 1 | Health staff training |
Côte d’Ivoire | 67 | 9 | 0 | Public awareness campaigns |
WHO is working closely with national authorities and partners—including Gavi and UNICEF—to scale up vaccination access and strengthen outbreak response in affected countries, while preparing nations without reported cases.
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