Home › Travel Guides › Africa Travel Guide › Congo › Congo - Healthcare
Image gallery

Making raffia rope in Congo

© Creative Commons / Nick Hobgood

Congo - Healthcare

Vaccination identifier Special precautions
Diphtheria

Yes
Hepatitis A

Yes
Malaria

Yes
Rabies

Sometimes
Tetanus

Yes
Typhoid

Yes
Yellow Fever

Yes*

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by travellers over one year of age.

Government expenditure on health is low and the quality of hospitals is poor. It is advisable to take specific personal medicines as well as supplies such as syringes and drip needles, as medical facilities are available only in larger centres. Doctors and hospitals expect cash payment in full for health services. Health insurance is essential and it is advisable to include cover for emergency air evacuation.

Food and drink: 

All water should be regarded as being a potential health risk. Water
used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been
boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be
boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products
that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat
well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and
fruit peeled.

Other risks: 

Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Hepatitis B and E are present and meningococcal meningitis may occur. There is a very high risk of diarrhoeal diseases, the dysenteries and various parasitic worm infections. Ebola outbreaks
have occurred. Avoid tick bites which spread African tick typhus. Wear shoes to avoid soil-borne parasites. Rabies is
present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be
considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.