DRC Battling Five Infectious Diseases

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is confronting 5 outbreaks of infectious diseases at the same time.

To increase international traveler awareness of these disease outbreaks, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued separate 3 Travel Alerts for Ebola, Measles, and Polio on September 14, 2018. 

Additionally, the CDC is cautioning DRC visitors to ongoing Yellow Fever and Zika viruses.

These CDC Level 1 and 2 Travel Alerts mean visitors to the DRC should speak with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist before traveling to learn if you are up to date with the required vaccinations, whether you need a booster dose and if you should bring medicines with you.

CDC Travel Alerts:

• Ebola: The DRC reported 5 additional confirmed Ebola cases and is now reporting a total of 106 confirmed, 31 probable cases, and 92 related deaths.
• Measles: On May 2, 2018, the CDC said travelers to the DRC should make sure they are vaccinated against measles with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.
• Polio:  Since July 2017, the CDC reported vaccine-derived polio cases in both Haut-Lomami Province and in Maniema Provinces of the DRC.
• Yellow Fever: The CDC said on during March 2018 that arriving travelers to the DRC should be vaccinated for Yellow Fever virus.
• Zika:  The CDC updated its Zika alert for the DRC on August 17, 2018, saying pregnant women should not travel to the DRC.

The CDC says vaccinations offer the best protection from most infectious diseases.

International travelers can easily request a vaccination appointment with a pharmacy at Vax-Before-Travel.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides private sector vaccine prices for general information. And, vaccine discounts can be found here.

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.