Democratic Republic of the Congo
Status: affected by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus
Status: affected by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) is affected by four separate strains of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).
Polio this week in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)
- No cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) have been reported the past week. There were 20 cVDPV2 cases reported in 2018. DRC is currently affected by nine separate cVDPV2 outbreaks; one each originated in Haut Katanga, Mongala, Sankuru, Tanganika, Tshopo, Kasai, Kasai Central, and two in Haut Lomami provinces.
- Read our Democratic Republic of the Congo country page to see information on surveillance and vaccination campaigns.
- Learn more about vaccine-derived poliovirusesthrough this short animation or this ‘Coffee with Polio Experts’
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 May 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.
