Democratic Republic of the Congo
Status: affected by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2)
Polio this week in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)
- Three cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) were reported this week: one each from Kwilu, Haut-Lomami and Kwango provinces. The onsets of paralysis were between 10 and 21 October 2019. There are 53 cVDPV2 cases in 2019 and 20 in 2018.
- Read our Democratic Republic of the Congo country page for more information.
- Learn more about vaccine-derived polioviruses through this short animation or this ‘Coffee with Polio Experts’ video.
International Health Regulations
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is classified by the International Health Regulations (IHR) as a state infected with cVDPV2, with potential risk of international spread. It is therefore subject to temporary recommendations as of September 2019.
Travel advice
WHO’s International Travel and Health recommends that all travellers to polio-affected areas be fully vaccinated against polio. Residents (and visitors for more than 4 weeks) from infected areas should receive an additional dose of OPV or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) within 4 weeks to 12 months of travel.
