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)
- Ten cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) were reported this week: seven from Sankuru, one from Haut-Lomami and three from Kwilu provinces bringing the total number of 2019 cases to 73.
- 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 December 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.
