Victor Ezeja
The Nigerian government has imposed a new condition for travellers entering the country, as the mpox pandemic spreads across Africa.
The Federal Ministry of Health through the Port Health Services Department authorised the new entrance rule which went into effect on 11th August.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to the agency, Nigeria-bound air passengers are required to complete a Health Declaration Form online before boarding.
“Dear Partner: Due to the recent outbreak of MonkeyPox (Mpox) in some parts of Africa, the Ministry of Health through Port Health Services has introduced a Health Declaration Form to be completed by all arriving customers into the country (LOS + ABV stations) WEF from today,” the statement by Port Services Department read.
“To avoid be being delayed/stopped from entering the country, kindly encourage all customers departing LHR for LOS and ABV stations to go online and complete/submit the form before they board.”
According to the ministry, the form is going to be used as a tool to monitor possible mpox disease importation to prevent its spread in the country.
Formerly known as monkey pox, mpox, resurfaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and has spread to some other African countries.
READ ALSO: Monkeypox: Another Red-Alert For Nigeria
The virus has reportedly spread to four countries neighbouring DRC – Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and Kenya.
Prime Business Africa had reported that the Africa Centre for Disease Control and prevention (CDC), Director-General, Dr. Jean Kaseya, on Thursday said the centre may declare Mpox a public health emergency of concern in the continent this week.
Dr Kasey stressed that the declaration of mpox outbreak as a public health emergency would help to rally stakeholders and equally mobilise resources to fight the disease.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said last week Wednesday said that 14,000 cases and 511 deaths traced to mpox have been recorded so far this year.
In Nigeria, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention report as of 14th July indicates that 102 new suspected cases were reported from 18 states without any deaths recorded in 2024.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
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