The Democratic Republic of Congo
Current travel vaccine advice and how to prevent infections when travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Recommendations and advice on this page can never replace a consultation with healthcare professionals. Contact a doctor or vaccination clinic to assess your needs.
Recommended vaccines
To get the best possible effect from vaccines, you should start your vaccinations well before departure. At helsenorge.no, you can check which vaccines are registered to you. You must pay for travel vaccines and malaria protection yourself. There may be specific advice for children and pregnant women; see the section further down the page.
Vaccines recommended for everyone
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Read more about dTP-IPV (Vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio) in the vaccine guide
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Read more about MMR (Vaccine against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) in the vaccine guide
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Read more about YF (Yellow fever vaccine) in the vaccine guide
You should be up to date with vaccines and booster doses recommended in Norway. For children between 9 and 15 months who are traveling abroad, it may be relevant to administer the MMR vaccine earlier.
Vaccines recommended for many
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Read more about Hep A (Hepatitis A vaccine) in the vaccine guide
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Read more about MenACWY (Meningococcal vaccine against serotypes A+C+W+Y) in the vaccine guide
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Read more about Rab (Rabies Vaccine) in the vaccine guide
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Read more about Typh (Typhoid vaccine) in the vaccine guide
The vaccines are recommended for most travelers visiting the country. The recommendation depends on factors such as the duration of your stay, type of travel/activity, your health, whether you belong to a risk group, and should be assessed by a doctor.
Relevant vaccines based on individual risk
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Read more about BCG (Vaccine against tuberculosis) in the vaccine guide
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Read more about Hep B (Hepatitis B vaccine) in the vaccine guide
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Read more about Influenza (Seasonal influenza vaccine) in the vaccine guide
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Read more about MenB (Meningococcal B vaccine) in the vaccine guide
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Read more about OCV (Cholera vaccine) in the vaccine guide
The vaccines are recommended for some travelers visiting the country. The recommendation depends, among other things, on the length of stay, type of travel/activity, your health, whether you belong to a risk group, and more, and should be evaluated by a doctor.
Additional information about polio vaccination
If staying in the country for more than 4 weeks, a polio vaccine is required for everyone (regardless of age) before departure. The traveler must ensure they have received a polio vaccine between 4 weeks and 12 months before leaving the country.
When infants are traveling, it should be considered to advance the vaccination schedule, and possibly switch to a 4-dose program for infants who would not otherwise be able to receive two doses of polio vaccine before departure.
The vaccination should be documented with an international vaccine certificate to ensure you are allowed to leave the country.
Requirement for yellow fever certificate
This country requires documentation of yellow fever vaccination upon entry.
The yellow fever vaccine should be administered at a vaccination site that also issues a yellow fever certificate. This can be done, for example, by some doctors, travel clinics, or vaccination offices.
Special conditions
Mosquito-borne infections
There may be an increased risk of mosquito-borne infections in this country. We encourage you to follow the advice for bite prevention, listed under “Insect Bites and Stings” below.
Malaria
Malaria risk throughout the year in the entire country. Mosquito-bite prevention and chemoprophylaxis recommended.
Other important advice
Food and Water
Preventing travellers' diarrhoea depends mainly upon practising good hand hygiene and food and water precautions: Always wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet and before eating. You can also use alcohol-based hand sanitiser if water and soap are unavailable.
The quality of water and sanitation varies around the world. Reduce the risk of infection by following simple precautions. Recently prepared, thoroughly cooked food that is served piping hot, fruit you can peel yourself, and pasteurised dairy products are good options for travellers.
- Drink safe water (bottled or boiled), avoid tap water
- Avoid unpasteurized milk products
- Avoid uncooked meats, fish and seafood
- Avoid raw vegetables and fruits unless you can peel them
Diarrhea and Vomiting
Traveler’s diarrhea is unpleasant but usually harmless. Follow these guidelines:
- Drink plenty of fluids, i.e. boiled water, mineral water, or glucose-electrolyte powder dissolved in bottled or boiled water.
- If you are nauseous, sip small amounts frequently
- Small children are more susceptible to dehydration than adults. Pay attention to the child's general condition and contact a doctor if you are concerned
- Seek medical advice if you develop bloody diarrhoea or diarrhoea with high fever.
- Anti-diarrhoeal medications can relieve diarrhoea but should be used with caution. Do not use if you have a fever and do not give them to children under 12 years of age.
- Practise good hand hygiene to reduce the chance of transmitting infection to others.
- If you use birth control pills or other medication, be aware that their effectiveness may be reduced during bouts of diarrhoea or vomiting.
Many diseases can be transmitted through insect bites and stings. Globally, the most common mosquito borne diseases include dengue fever, malaria, West Nile fever, chikungunya fever, yellow fever, and Zika virus infection. The occurrence of mosquito borne diseases has increased in recent years, although their geographical distribution varies. Ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and TBE (tick borne encephalitis).
In tropical and subtropical regions, you may be exposed to insect borne diseases throughout the year. During the summer months, transmission can also occur in temperate areas.
It is important to protect yourself against bites at all times of the day. Some mosquito species bite during daylight hours, while others are active at night, and transmission can occur both in rural and urban environments.
How to Avoid Mosquito Bites
- Cover up as much as possible.
- Use insect repellent containing DEET (≥20%) or icaridin on exposed skin and clothing. Avoid applying repellent to wounds or damaged skin. Adults should apply repellent to children and make sure children do not get icaridin on their hands or near their eyes or mouth. For children under 2 years, DEET is not recommended..
- Use mosquito screens on windows and impregnated mosquito nets over beds.
- Use impregnated mosquito nets over prams, playpens, and similar equipment.
- Line baby baskets with mosquito proof fabric.
- Use electric mosquito repellents and other indoor mosquito control devices.
- Remove standing water from flowerpots, buckets, containers, and similar places around your accommodation.
- Avoid turning on lights before doors and windows are closed, as mosquitoes are attracted to light.
- Use air conditioning if available, as mosquitoes avoid cool environments.
How to Avoid Tick Bites
- Wear clothing that covers your skin, and tuck trouser legs into socks if possible.
- Wear light coloured clothing to make ticks easier to spot.
- Use insect repellent containing DEET (≥20%) or icaridin on skin and clothing. Avoid applying repellent to wounds or damaged skin. Adults should apply repellent to children and ensure they do not get icaridin on their hands or near their eyes or mouth. For children under 2 years, DEET is not recommended.
- Avoid walking through tall grass, heather, and dense vegetation in tick infested areas.
- Be aware that ticks can quickly crawl upwards on legs and the body and often find their way under clothing around the arms, neck, and hairline.
- Shake out outdoor clothing thoroughly and wash or air it afterwards.
If you are bitten by a tick, remove it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection.
- How to Remove a Tick (Sheep ticks and tick bites – Pest control guidance)
Other Preventive Measures
Malaria prevention medicines are available, and vaccines exist for some insect or tick borne diseases. Healthcare professionals can provide individual advice based on your travel destination, medical history, and other relevant factors.
Animals can transmit various diseases to humans in different ways. Therefore, it is generally best to avoid contact with animals during your trip. Even apparently healthy animals can sometimes transmit severe diseases, so resist the urge to pet them. Children, in particular, should be helped to avoid contact with animals.
Animal bites can cause infections. If you are bitten, you should consult a doctor for assessment as soon as possible. Infections after bites are usually caused by bacteria from the animal's mouth or your own skin flora.
- Rodents like mice and rats can spread diseases through bites, scratches, urine, faeces, or via fleas. Avoid areas with many rodents and refrain from touching items that might be contaminated by them.
- In many countries there are outbreaks of avian influenza (bird 'flu) among wild birds and in poultry farms. There are also sporadic cases among other mammals. In addition, there have been some more extensive outbreaks with likely transmission between mammals (marine mammals in South America, cattle in North America, mink in Finland). Avoid contact with sick or dead mammals. Avoid direct contact with birds (both poultry and wild birds) and places where these are kept or sold. Do not touch surfaces soiled by droppings and secretions from birds.
- Bats can transmit potentially serious diseases. Protect yourself by avoiding areas with high density of bats such as bat caves.
- In many places monkeys are common. However, they can carry numerous diseases, so avoid contact with them.
- The MERS coronavirus, which causes MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) in humans, is endemic in dromedaries in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. To prevent infection from dromedaries to humans, it is recommended to avoid contact with dromedaries and avoid consumption of unpasteurised or uncooked animal products, such as milk, meat, blood or urine from dromedaries.
- Rabies is a rare but lethal disease found among mammals worldwide, with higher risk in Africa and Asia. Humans can be infected, primarily through dog bites. The virus is transmitted through bites or if the animal's saliva enters wounds, mucous membranes, or skin abrasions. If bitten, scratched, or licked on wounds or mucous membranes, wash thoroughly and immediately seek medical attention. The doctor can assess the risk of rabies and administer vaccinations promptly if necessary. There is an effective rabies vaccine available, and you can get vaccinated against rabies before traveling. If bitten and there's a risk of rabies exposure, you will need additional vaccine doses. See Areas with and without Risk of Classic Rabies Transmission (cdc.gov)
- Bites from snakes, scorpions, spiders and others can also pose health risks. If exposed to such bites, you should see a doctor for evaluation.
Sunbathing and Heat
Protect your skin from sunburn, using a combination of shade, clothing and sunscreen. Use sunscreen with a high SPF and reapply it several times throughout the day. Children's skin is especially vulnerable to the sun. Infants and toddlers should be kept in the shade or wear clothing that covers larger parts of their bodies.
Prevent overheating. Stay in the shade and cover your head. This is particularly important for children.
When you sweat, you lose a lot of fluid and salt. Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water and consider eating salty foods unless you have salt restrictions. If you produce the usual amount of urine, and it has a normal colour, your fluid intake is adequate.
Swimming and water safety
Try to avoid walking barefoot. Several diseases can be transmitted from soil and sand, especially in tropical areas.
Water can be contaminated by sewage near inhabited areas. Swimming pools with treated water are normally safe.
Check for undertows and rip currents before swimming. Follow local advice and warning
Schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia or snail fever) is caused by a parasite found in freshwater, that can penetrate the skin. It is most common in but not limited to Sub-Saharan Africa, where most lakes, rivers, and streams can be potential sources of infection. The parasites also exist in parts of the Middle East, South America, and Asia.
Adventure travel can pose a risk of infection. Local information claiming a freshwater source is free from schistosomiasis is not always reliable. Avoid swimming in freshwater in these areas.
Vibrio bacteria can be found in brackish and saltwater, especially in subtropical and tropical regions, and can cause severe wound infections.
Medication
If you use medicines, make sure you bring enough for the entire stay. Drug shortages or alternative brand names can make it difficult to obtain the medications you need abroad.
Place essential medicines in your carry-on luggage. You may be asked to present a prescription or medical certificate (in English) at customs, stating that you need the medicine. If you have a chronic illness or disability, consult your doctor before travelling.
Travel Pharmacy
In addition to regular medication, it's wise to consider bringing:
- Antiseptic for wounds
- Plasters
- Painkillers
- Nasal drops
- Motion sickness medications
- Anti-diarrhoeal medications
Blood clots
Air pressure in the cabin during a long flight may cause problems for some. People who may be at higher risk of blood clots include those who have had blood clots previously, are pregnant, or who use birth control pills. Advice to prevent blood clots:
- Move your legs regularly
- Walk around the plane at regular intervals
- Wear compression stockings
- Drink plenty of non-alcoholic beverages
If you have a severe disease/condition, consult your doctor when planning a long flight.
The risk of transmission of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) from casual and/or unprotected sex is high worldwide.
The most common STIs are chlamydia and gonorrhoea, but also syphilis, HIV, viral hepatitis, and other diseases transmitted through intimate contact (i.e. Mpox, meningococcal disease, gastroenteritis).
Antibiotic resistance makes infections hard to treat, and is particularly common for gonorrhoea. Do not buy over-the-counter antibiotics and start treatment without consulting a doctor. It may complicate treatment of your infection while contributing to the global resistance problems.
The highest prevalence of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis viruses are found in Africa and certain Asian countries, but Southern and Eastern Europe also have higher prevalence than Norway. Sex workers are generally at higher risk for STIs.
Preventive measures
Condoms provide good protection when used correctly during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The quality of condoms may vary so you should bring your own condoms from home.
Pregnant women
In general, most women can travel safely while pregnant, providing they take precautions. However, several diseases may have more severe consequences in pregnancy, with risk to both mother and unborn baby. Traveling while pregnant, especially to tropical areas or places with basic facilities, may therefore pose some risks and you should consult healthcare professionals for pretravel advice.
Most vaccines are safe during pregnancy, but healthcare professionals need to assess the risk of infection versus the risk of vaccination on a case-by-case basis.
Preventing gatrointestinal infections is particularly important during pregnancy. Diarrhoea can trigger contractions, and some microorganisms can harm the foetus, although the likelihood is small. Listeria and toxoplasma represent particular risks for pregnant women and unborn babies. Hepatitis A and E can be transmitted through contaminated water and food. Pregnant women are more susceptible to a severe course of the variant of hepatitis E that is often found in low-income countries in Africa and Asia. There is a vaccine for hepatitis A but not for hepatitis E. Pregnant women should be especially careful with food hygiene abroad.
Avoid raw meat, raw fish, unpasteurised dairy products, and always wash or peel raw vegetables, fruits, and berries.
Mosquito-borne diseases: Several mosquito-borne diseases can pose a risk to both mother and foetus, most important are Zika virus and malaria. Even other mosquito-borne diseases can occasionally cause early labour or low birth weight. Therefore, pregnant women must be meticulous about protecting themselves from mosquitoes, especially in subtropical and tropical areas.
Pregnant women are advised to postpone non-essential travel to malaria-endemic areas or areas with zikavirus outbreaks.
Children
Children can be more vulnerable to infectious diseases. The same precautions apply to children as to adults. Generally, children should have started their routine vaccination programs before traveling abroad. Protect children traveling to tropical and subtropical regions against mosquito bites. Small children have increased risk of severe malaria.
Medical tourism comes with certain challenges and risks and is generally not recommended. However, you must seek medical help if you have a medical emergency during your trip.
Resistant bacteria are more common in many areas outside the Nordic countries and the risk of being infected/colonised with such bacteria is higher in healthcare facilities. The risk is greatest if you are admitted to hospital, but there is also an increased risk associated with surgical procedures or other out-patient treatments, i.e. cosmetic clinics, dental care, or general practitioner practices.
Antibiotic use contributes to bacterial resistance. Avoid buying over-the-counter antibiotics. If you have purchased such medication, contact your general practitioner for further guidance when you return. Return any unused antibiotics to a pharmacy for safe disposal (do not dispose in household waste or down the toilet).
If you become ill and need medical attention after returning from a trip abroad, you must inform the doctor where you have been. This is particularly important if you have been to malaria risk areas or have received medical or dental care abroad. The doctor needs this information to find the correct diagnosis and provide the right treatment.
Traveler's diarrhoea can sometimes continue for a few days after you return home. Maintain strict hand hygiene, always washing your hands after using the toilet and before handling food.