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 Central Africa
- No cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) were reported this week in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The total number of cVDPV2 cases reported in 2018 is 20.
- The most recent cVDPV2 case was reported from Mufunga-Sampwe district in Haut-Katanga province with onset of paralysis on 7 October 2018.
- DRC is affected by four separate cVDPV2 outbreaks, in the provinces of Haut Katanga; Mongala, Maniema and Haut Lomami/Tanganika/Haut Katanga/Ituri.
- Read our Democratic Republic of the Congo country page to see information on surveillance and vaccination campaigns.
- Learn more about vaccine-derived polioviruses through 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 February 2019.
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Key at-risk: no longer poliovirus-infected, but at high risk of outbreaks
Outbreak: has stopped indigenous WPV circulation but affected by outbreak of imported WPV or circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus
Endemic: has never stopped indigenous wild poliovirus (WPV) circulation
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.
