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Cholera in Democratic Republic of Congo (Update)

11 November 2016

According to a WHO report (in French) as of 27 October, over 24 196 cases of cholera and 739 deaths have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2016.

The incidence to date this year far exceeds the total of reported cases and death for all of 2015.

Advice for Travellers

Severe cholera is rare in travellers, mild cases may present as travellers' diarrhoea.

  • All travellers should be given advice on maintaining good food, water and hand hygiene, see traveller's diarrhoea, safe eating and drinking and water purification.
  • Travellers should be advised on basic steps in self - treating diarrhoea, particularly maintaining hydration.

When to consider vaccination

Vaccination should be considered under the following circumstances and is dependant on the individual risk assessment:

  • Volunteers/aid workers/medical personnel in disaster relief situations where cholera outbreaks likely.
  • Those travelling to work in slums/refugee camps, areas affected by natural disasters, or countries experiencing cholera outbreaks (see current notes on the country concerned).