Health entry requirements for Sierra Leone

Yellow fever certificate

The UK government says that to enter Sierra Leone you must have a certificate to prove you have had a yellow fever vaccination ¹. TravelHealthPro, the UK travel health service, says a certificate is required from all travellers and recommends the vaccine for travellers aged 9 months and older ⁶.

The National Public Health Agency portal says a yellow fever card, the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, is mandatory for travel to or from areas where yellow fever is endemic, including Sierra Leone ². The US Department of State lists yellow fever in its entry facts for Sierra Leone ⁷.

The online health declaration

The National Public Health Agency and the Ministry of Health launched the Sierra Leone Health Travel Portal at Freetown International Airport on 5 June 2026, as reported by Mohamed Dauda Kamara for Dubawa ³. Jhpiego Sierra Leone and the World Health Organization supported the launch ³. MyJoyOnline, as reported by Emmanuel Tetteh on 8 July 2026, said the requirement took effect on 18 June ⁴.

The UK government says all travellers entering or leaving Sierra Leone must complete the declaration before travel ¹. The portal is at poep.npha.gov.sl ^1,2.

• Create an account or log in, then complete the Health Declaration Form ².
• File it not more than 72 hours before the date of travel ².
• Give accurate travel details, including the seat number where possible ¹.
• Keep the confirmation QR code or reference number and show it if asked ¹.
• A parent, guardian, family member or travel agent may use one contact for several travellers ².
• The portal page does not mention a fee ².

Screening at the airport

The UK government says travellers may have to undergo health screening on arrival ¹. Those who do not comply may face delays or be refused entry or departure ¹. MyJoyOnline reported that false or misleading information could lead to delays, denial of clearance or extra screening, and that filing the form does not guarantee clearance ⁴.

Point of Entry Health staff can help passengers who have trouble with the form, MyJoyOnline reported ⁴. Dubawa reported that border officials receive real-time alerts on high-risk travellers ³. The portal lists the public health hotline 117 and the email info@npha.gov.sl ².

Ebola screening in 2026

On 17 May 2026 the WHO Director-General declared the Bundibugyo virus Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern ⁵. WHO said no country should close its borders or restrict travel and trade ⁵.

The UK government says Sierra Leone has introduced screening for arriving travellers as a public health measure and that travellers should expect enhanced screening on arrival ¹. Health Minister Dr Austin Demby said at the portal launch that it aims to keep out diseases including Ebola, as reported by Dubawa ³.

Other health advice

• Malaria: TravelHealthPro says the risk is high and recommends atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine ⁶.
• Cholera: the risk for most travellers is low, with vaccine advised for those at higher risk such as aid workers ⁶.
• Routine and travel vaccines: hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended for most travellers ⁶.
• Lassa fever: TravelHealthPro lists a death in Bonthe District reported by WHO on 3 March 2026 ⁶.
• Medical bills: the US Department of State says most care providers overseas accept only cash ⁷.