Republic of the Congo - Brazzaville

Recommended Vaccinations For Republic of the Congo - Brazzaville

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Polio Vaccine

Travellers who intend to visit this country for 4 weeks or more may be required to take a polio vaccination at least 4 weeks to 12 months prior to arrival in the country. Unvaccinated travellers may have to take the vaccine upon arrival at the entry ports. Childhood vaccinations, including polio, should be up-to-date prior to travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in the country for more than 3 months.

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is a risk for yellow fever in this country. This country requires all travellers 9 months of age and older to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination. It is recommended that all travellers 9 months of age and older have the yellow fever vaccination.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Republic of the Congo - Brazzaville

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxime-pyrimethamine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Republic of the Congo - Brazzaville

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Republic of the Congo through contaminated food or water.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Republic of the Congo. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Republic of the Congo.

For Some Travellers

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country. Ticks that cause this disease are usually most active from November through April. Travellers engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and game hunting in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas may be at a higher risk.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) may occur in this country. Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

Polio

Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 was detected in this country. Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated travellers are at a higher risk if they come in direct contact with an infected person or through contaminated food and water, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas with poor hygiene standards.

Ebola Viral Disease

There is a risk of Ebola in this country. Ebola is caused by coming into contact with the body fluids from an infected person (alive or dead), such as blood, urine, saliva, and sweat, among others. Medical equipment contaminated with the body fluids of an infected person or a person who died of Ebola or Marburg also cause the disease.

Monkeypox

There is a risk of monkeypox in the country. The disease can be caused by being scratched or bitten by an infected animal (a rodent or primate), or touching animal products, including skins and meat and being near an infected person who is coughing or sneezing.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk for yellow fever in this country. This country requires all travellers 9 months of age and older to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination. It is recommended that all travellers 9 months of age and older have the yellow fever vaccination.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Republic of the Congo. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with a sick person.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Republic of the Congo, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in Republic of the Congo and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in Republic of the Congo. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Malaria

All areas of Republic of the Congo are at high risk for malaria.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Republic of the Congo. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Republic of the Congo - Brazzaville

Personal Safety

Crime levels are low in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire. However, petty crime, such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, or other theft can occur anywhere. Always be alert to your surroundings and personal safety. Keep valuables secured and out of sight. Safeguard your important documents, such as your passport. Avoid walking alone at night. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Your risk of being targeted increases in rural areas.

In some areas, road travel can be difficult due to poor condition of roads. Vehicles may be in poor repair. Drivers may not adhere to rules of the road. There have been reports of roadblocks for the purpose of collecting bribes.

LGBT travellers should be aware that same-sex relationships are not illegal. However, homosexuality may offend and bring unwanted attention. Avoid buses due to unsafe driving conditions. It is advisable to hire only government-authorized green and white taxis in Brazzaville and blue and white taxis in Pointe-Noire. Negotiation of fare before departure is recommended as taxis are not metered. Carry a copy of your passport and the Republic of the Congo visa with you at all times as local police may conduct ID checks.

Political Unrest

Always avoid any public gathering or protest since even peaceful demonstrations can quickly escalate into violence.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid travel to the Pool region due to armed bandits and activities of rebels. Armed groups left over from the civil war, known as Ninjas, still operate in the southern Pool area, and war-related crime is a risk, including murder and rape of civilians.

Road travel in the Pool area requires a permit from the Congolese army.

Avoid travelling around the country at night.

Avoid travelling to areas near the border with the Central African Republic. Avoid travelling to areas near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo along the Ubangi River.