Nigeria makes health screening compulsory for travellers over Monkeypox

Following the recent spread of the deadly monkeypox in sixteen out of fifty-five nations in Africa, the federal government has mandated a health screening form for incoming international travellers.

This was announced by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, to control the spread of monkeypox, which has been affecting several African nations, recently.

The first monkeypox outbreak in Africa was in September. The Centre for Diseases Control in Africa reported that ever since the outbreak, 16 out of 55 nations have been affected, 38,465 cases have been reported and 1,456 deaths have been recorded.

In response to this, the federal government through the website of the Federal Ministry of Health has made it mandatory for anybody travelling into Nigeria to fill out and submit a form before making their way into Nigeria to avoid delays upon arriving Nigeria.

The form is meant to be filled and submitted at least twenty one days to the traveller’s arrival. The form will be used to collate the traveller’s personal information, health information and contact information.

The health ministry explained that the form is a measure to prevent the spread, and also control the spread of diseases, thereby protecting the health of all Nigerians.

The health ministry’s website reads “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 out the form. 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”.