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)
- 15 cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) were reported; 12 in Maniema, two in Sud-Kivu and one in Tanganyika. The number of 2022 cases now stands at 63. There were 28 cases in 2021.
- The outbreak is affecting primarily the east of the country, and the risk of further expansion of the outbreak is compounded by a significant number of zero-dose children in the area.
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 2022.
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.
