By: Mohamed J. Bangura
The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) has announced that all travellers entering or leaving Sierra Leone are required to complete an online Health Declaration Form at least 72 hours before travelling, as part of measures to strengthen the country’s preparedness against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
The directive, contained in a Public Health Travel Advisory dated October 30, 2026, was issued by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in collaboration with NPHA to enhance disease surveillance, promote early detection and prevent the possible importation of Ebola into Sierra Leone.
According to the advisory, the requirements apply to all travellers, regardless of nationality or country of origin, amid reported Ebola outbreaks and cases in some African countries.
NPHA identified the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda as countries requiring heightened travel awareness and vigilance.
The DRC is currently experiencing an Ebola outbreak with reported community transmission. Kenya has reported imported cases linked to the outbreak, although no wider community transmission has been reported. Nigeria has also recorded an imported case, with contact tracing ongoing. Uganda, which was previously affected by Ebola, currently has no active cases reported.
However, NPHA has assured the public that Sierra Leone has not recorded any confirmed Ebola cases associated with the current outbreak.
Under the new requirements, travellers must complete the applicable Health Declaration Form through the NPHA Health Travel Portal at https://poep.npha.gov.sl/ within 72 hours before departure or arrival.
Travellers are required to provide accurate personal, contact, health and recent travel information, submit the form and retain the confirmation receipt or QR code for presentation to Port Health officials when requested at airports, seaports and land borders.
The agency warned that failure to comply with the requirements could result in travel delays or other measures in accordance with national procedures.
Travellers arriving from affected countries must declare any possible exposure to an Ebola case and cooperate with additional risk assessments and public health monitoring.
They are also advised to monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days following their last possible exposure. Anyone who develops symptoms during this period should avoid close contact with others, immediately contact the national health emergency hotline on 117 and follow the recommended safe referral procedures.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leoneans travelling to affected countries have been advised to consult health guidance issued by destination authorities, NPHA and the World Health Organization (WHO) before departure.
The advisory further urges travellers to avoid contact with people showing symptoms of Ebola, the body fluids of infected persons, contaminated materials, unsafe burial practices and sick or dead wild animals, including bats and non-human primates.
According to NPHA, Ebola symptoms may develop between two and 21 days after exposure. These include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.
The disease spreads through direct contact with the body fluids of symptomatic infected persons or contaminated materials.
Airlines, shipping companies, road transport operators and border authorities have also been directed to inform passengers about the declaration requirements, promptly report suspected illnesses and cooperate with Port Health teams.
NPHA emphasised that all preventive measures must be risk-based and non-discriminatory, rather than determined solely by a traveller’s nationality or country of origin.
The agency reaffirmed that early reporting and public cooperation remain essential to preventing the spread of Ebola, reminding the public that early reporting saves lives and protects families and communities.