Republic of the Congo

General Map

Medical Summary

The health risk information presented here is summarized from Shoreland Travax^®, a decision-support tool used by health care providers to perform a detailed health risk analysis based on specific locations, individual travel styles, and traveler risk behaviors. Travax provides practitioners current, independently researched malaria risk and prevention recommendations in a map-based format that goes beyond the annual WHO and US CDC statements included here. Not included here are current reports from Travax of disease outbreaks or environmental events that may pose elevated risks to travelers’ health and safety. The Providers section of this site offers a directory of health care providers who utilize Shoreland Travax for travel health counseling. Learn more about the detailed reports and maps available from these practitioners (includes links to samples).

General Information

Republic of the Congo is a developing nation classified as lower middle income. Located in central Africa along the Atlantic Ocean (east of Gabon and west of the Democratic Republic of Congo), the climate classifications range from humid equatorial (no dry season) to humid equatorial (long dry season).

Vaccinations

Yellow Fever

Requirement: A certificate proving yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers aged ≥ 9 months.
Official Status: listed by WHO as a country where YF transmission risk is present.

Other Vaccines

Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against cholera, COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, mpox, rabies, typhoid fever, or a one time polio booster if you haven't previously received one for travel. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.

Malaria

WHO—International Travel and Health (current online update, Country List)

(2018) Malaria risk due predominantly to P. falciparum exists throughout the year in the entire country.

Recommended prevention: C – Risk of P. falciparum malaria, in combination with reported chloroquine and sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance. Mosquito bite prevention plus atovaquone–proguanil or doxycycline or mefloquine chemoprophylaxis (select according to reported side effects and contraindications) ^a
^aAlternatively, for travel to rural areas with low risk of malaria infection, mosquito bite prevention can be combined with stand–by emergency treatment (SBET).

WHO Country List footnote: When available, the date of the most recent update or confirmation is indicated in parentheses in the country list. If no date is indicated, the most recent update or confirmation was provided before 2013.

CDC—Health Information for International Travel (current online edition)

Areas with malaria: All.

Drug resistance³ : Chloroquine.
Malaria species: P. falciparum 90%, P. ovale 5%–10%, P. vivax rare.
Recommended chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine.⁴
³ Refers to P. falciparum malaria unless otherwise noted.
⁴ Primaquine and tafenoquine can cause hemolytic anemia in people with G6PD deficiency. Patients must be screened for G6PD deficiency before starting primaquine or tafenoquine. See Tafenoquine Approved for Malaria Prophylaxis and Treatment for more information.

Other Concerns

Travelers' Diarrhea

High risk exists throughout the country, including in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures are generally inadequate. Some itineraries (e.g., remote destinations, austere accommodations) and activities (e.g., ecotourism, eating street or local-market food) further increase risk.

Travelers should observe food and beverage precautions, which reduce the likelihood of illness.

Travelers should carry loperamide for self-treatment of diarrhea and, if risk is moderate to high, an antibiotic to add if diarrhea is severe. Consult a knowledgeable health care provider regarding which antibiotic is appropriate for you and most effective for your destination.

Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases

African trypanosomiasis, chikungunya, dengue, loiasis, onchocerciasis, tick-bite fever, Zika may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.

Other Disease and Health Risks

Additional concerns include Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, helminths, hepatitis C, leptospirosis, Marburg virus disease, marine hazards, schistosomiasis, sexually transmitted infections, snakebites, tuberculosis.

Consular Advice

The material below includes information from the US Department of State (DOS), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), as well as from additional open-source material. Standard safety precautions that apply to all international travel can be found in the Library article Safety and Security.

Consular Travel Advice

Due to the presence of armed groups and ongoing security concerns, UK (FCO) advises avoiding travel to within 50 km (31 mi) of the border with the Central African Republic in Likouala Department; advises reconsidering travel (or avoiding nonessential travel) to Boko, Kindamba, Kinkala, Mayama, and Mindouli districts (Pool Department); and advises reconsidering travel (or avoiding nonessential travel) to Bouenza Department, Mouyondzi District. Canada (GAC) advises reconsidering travel (or avoiding nonessential travel) to more limited areas. US (DOS) and Australia (DFAT) have no current warnings.

Terrorism Risk

No intrinsic risk of attack by terrorist groups exists, but unforeseen attacks are possible.

Crime

Moderate risk of violent crime (armed robbery, home robbery, and sexual assault,) and moderate risk of petty crime exist throughout the country, especially in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire (beach areas).

Scams involving corrupt officials have been reported.

Civil Unrest

Protests and demonstrations occur throughout the country and have the potential to turn violent without warning. Bystanders are at risk of harm from violence or from the response by authorities. Disruption to transportation, free movement, or the ability to carry out daily activities may occur.

Unsafe Areas

A dangerous security environment and armed groups may exist in Pool Department.

Water Safety

Passenger boats may be unsafe, including ferries and small crafts traveling from Kinshasa to Brazzaville (Republic of Congo). Decline water transportation in vessels that appear overloaded or lack personal flotation devices or life jackets.

Transportation Safety

Risk of traffic-related injury or death exists. The road traffic death rate is 7 to 12 per 100,000 population. The rate is less than 10 in most high-income countries.

Seat belt laws are poorly enforced.

Drunk driving laws are poorly enforced.

Structural standards for vehicles may not meet international standards.

Natural Disasters

The rainy season is from April through October in northern areas and November through March in southern areas. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur.

Consular Information

Selected Embassies or Consulates in Republic of Congo

United States: [+242] 06-612-2000; cg.usembassy.gov
Canada: Canada does not have an embassy or consulate in Republic of the Congo.
United Kingdom: U.K. does not have an embassy or consulate in Republic of the Congo.
Australia: Australia does not have an embassy or consulate in Republic of the Congo.

Republic of Congo's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries

In the U.S.: www.ambacongo-us.org
In Canada: [+1] 416-315-1549
In the U.K.: consulateofthecongobrazzaville.webs.com
In Australia: Republic of the Congo does not have an embassy or consulate in Australia.

Visa/HIV Testing

HIV testing is not required to obtain a tourist, work, or residence visa.

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