Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended - including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.

• Cholera

  Travel health advice relating to cholera.

  Spread through consumption of contaminated water and food. More common during floods and after natural disasters, in areas with very poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water. It would be unusual for travellers to contract cholera if they take basic precautions with food and water and maintain a good standard of hygiene.

  Last Updated: 6th Aug, 2014

• Diphtheria

  Travel health advice relating to diphtheria.

  Spread person to person through respiratory droplets. Risk is higher if mixing with locals in poor, overcrowded living conditions.

  Last Updated: 8th Sep, 2016

• Hepatitis A

  Travel health advice relating to hepatitis A.

  Spread through consuming contaminated food and water or person to person through the faecal-oral route. Risk is higher where personal hygiene and sanitation are poor.

  Last Updated: 6th Aug, 2014

• Hepatitis B

  Travel health advice relating to hepatitis B.

  Spread through infected blood and blood products, contaminated needles and medical instruments and sexual intercourse. Risk is higher for those at occupational risk, long stays or frequent travel, children (exposed through cuts and scratches) and individuals who may need, or request, surgical procedures abroad.

  Last Updated: 24th Sep, 2015

• Meningococcal Meningitis

  Travel health advice relating to meningococcal meningitis.

  Spread by droplet infection through close person to person contact. Meningococcal disease is found worldwide but epidemics may occur within this country, particularly during the dry season. Risk is higher for those mixing with locals for extended periods.

  Last Updated: 18th Mar, 2015

• Rabies

  Travel health advice relating to rabies.

  Spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite, scratch or lick on broken skin. Particularly dogs and related species, but also bats. Risk is higher for those going to remote areas (who may not be able to promptly access appropriate treatment in the event of a bite), long stays, those at higher risk of contact with animals and bats, and children. Even when pre-exposure vaccine has been received, urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal or bat bite.

  Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016

• Tetanus

  Travel health advice relating to tetanus.

  Spread through contamination of cuts, burns and wounds with tetanus spores. Spores are found in soil worldwide. A total of 5 doses of tetanus vaccine are recommended for life in the UK. Boosters are usually recommended in a country or situation where the correct treatment of an injury may not be readily available.

  Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016

• Typhoid

  Travel health advice relating to typhoid.

  Spread mainly through consumption of contaminated food and drink. Risk is higher where access to adequate sanitation and safe water is limited.

  Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016

• Yellow Fever

  Travel health advice relating to yellow fever.

  Spread by the bite of an infected, day-biting mosquito. The disease is mainly found in rural areas but outbreaks in urban areas do occur. Vaccination is usually recommended for those who travel into risk areas. View yellow fever risk areas here. Some travellers may require vaccination for certificate purposes.

  Last Updated: 11th Aug, 2016

Yellow fever vaccination certificate required from all travellers over 9 months of age.The certificate of yellow fever vaccination is valid for life in this country.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria.

Precaution

• Malaria risk is high throughout the year in all areas.
• Malaria precautions are essential Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
• Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets.
• See malaria map – additional information can be found by clicking on the Regional Information icon below the map.
• High risk areas: atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is usually advised for risk areas.
• If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure.
• If travelling to high risk malarious areas, remote from medical facilities, carrying emergency malaria standby treatment may be considered.

• Altitude and Travel
  This country has either areas with high altitude (2400m or more) or/and areas with very high altitude (3658m or more). Travellers who may go into areas of high altitude should take care to avoid ill effects of being at altitude including Acute Mountain Sickness, a potentially life-threatening condition.

• Dengue Fever
  A viral illness that is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. The mosquito that spreads dengue bites during the day and is more common in urban areas. Symptoms include fever, headache, severe joint, bone and muscular pain - hence its other name 'breakbone fever'. There is no vaccine and prevention is through avoidance of mosquito bites.

• Schistosomiasis
  A parasitic infection (also known as bilharzia) that is transmitted to humans through contact with fresh water. The parasite enters humans through the skin and prevention is dependant on avoidance of swimming, bathing or paddling in fresh water lakes and streams.

• Yellow Fever in Democratic Republic of Congo (Update) - published 5th Sep, 2016

• Yellow Fever in Democratic Republic of Congo (Update) - published 23rd Aug, 2016

• Counterfeit Medication in the Democratic Republic of Congo - published 19th Aug, 2016

• Yellow Fever in Democratic Republic of Congo (Update) - published 28th Jun, 2016

• Cholera in Democratic Republic of Congo - published 25th May, 2016

• Yellow Fever in Democratic Republic of Congo (Update) - published 3rd May, 2016

• Ebola Virus Disease in Democratic Republic of Congo (Update) - published 24th Nov, 2014

• Ebola Virus Disease in Democratic Republic of Congo (Update) - published 21st Oct, 2014

• Ebola Virus Disease in Democratic Republic of Congo (Update) - published 24th Sep, 2014

• Ebola Virus Disease in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (Update) - published 11th Sep, 2014

• Ebola Virus Disease in Democratic Republic of Congo (Confirmed) - published 26th Aug, 2014

• Yellow Fever in Democratic Republic of Congo - published 24th Apr, 2014

• Yellow Fever in Democratic Republic of Congo - published 17th Jun, 2013

• Cholera in Democratic Republic of Congo - published 4th Jan, 2013

• Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever in Democratic Republic of Congo (Update) - published 25th Oct, 2012

• Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever in Democratic Republic of Congo (Update) - published 11th Oct, 2012

• Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever in Democratic Republic of Congo (Update) - published 20th Sep, 2012

• Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever in Democratic Republic of Congo - published 21st Aug, 2012