The Nigerian government has started enforcing a policy that requires that all travelers leaving or arriving in the country present yellow cards.
The yellow cards are to proof whether the traveler has been vaccinated against yellow fever or not.
Since March 11, 2020 officials have been enforcing the policy at all entry points with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) alerting airlines as well.
According to Nigerian officials the new directive includes Nigerians (home and abroad) and foreigners living in Nigeria.
All nationals of other countries arriving from or haven transited countries with risk of yellow fever, would be required to show a yellow card certificate.
Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, at an event in Abuja on Friday containing the transmission of yellow fever in the country is also a priority.
“This is also to prevent Nigerians from spreading the yellow fever virus to other countries as there are high risk of transmission of the disease to other parts of the world like the ongoing coronavirus,” he said.
Nigeria has always demanded yellow fever vaccination card from travelers but enforcement has now become crucial with the outbreak of coronavirus.
The minister said “Nigerians are required to obtain a yellow fever vaccination if they have not done so, and to show their yellow card or proof of vaccination before any international travel and upon arrival.”
According to the World Health Organization, Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
The “yellow” in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients.
Symptoms of yellow fever include fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
Source: Africafeeds.com
