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The Republic of Congo: polio and measles

17 December 2010

Are you visiting, working or living in the Congo? Read advice and news about the polio and measles outbreaks.

Wild polio virus has killed 200 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and affected 480 people during the current outbreak.

Although the disease usually strikes young children, most of those affected in the DRC have been men between the ages of 15 and 24.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) polio was considered to have been eradicated in the Republic of Congo for the past 11 years. The current outbreak is the result of the disruption of the health system following years of war.

Advice

A mass immunisation campaign has already commenced in the country but anyone travelling to or working in the Republic of Congo should ensure they have completed their primary vaccination course against polio and, in addition, should be given a booster of polio-vaccine if they have not received one in the past 10 years.

Polio – about the disease

Polio is a highly infectious virus which is transmitted by food and water contaminated by human faeces. Therefore, hygienic sanitation and clean water play a key role in controlling the human spread of disease along with vaccination programmes. For most people polio is a mild illness and causes flu-like symptoms but it can be potentially fatal. It affects the nervous system and may result in paralysis.

Measles

The health authorities in the Republic of Congo (DRC) have officially declared that a measles epidemic is also affecting the country. A national campaign against measles undertaken by the Ministry of Health and supported by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has been taking place over the past few weeks.

Further information

To read the country profile for the Democratic Republic of Congo or to find out more about the current polio and measles outbreaks please login to the Travel Health Advice Centre (THAC) using your organisation’s personal domain.

If you’re not on THAC but are interested in using our health advice service please email [email protected] to find out more information.
 

Sources: IRIN, Associated Press