Africa South of Sahara

The Democratic Republic of the Congo

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to be faced with a deep political and economic crisis, partially inherited from the previous regime which was deposed in the spring of 1997, and an ongoing war in the north and east involving national armies from Central and Southern Africa and rebel groups from neighboring countries that affects approximately half the country. There has been a dramatic deterioration of the country's physical infrastructure and basic security environment. Urban crime remains a problem. There is occasional official hostility to expatriates, periodic shortages of basic items such as gasoline, a chronic shortage of medical supplies, high inflation, and in some areas, corruption and serious malnutrition.

CRIME: In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, low levels of economic prosperity continue to promote crime, vehicle thefts, burglaries, armed robbery and carjackings throughout the country.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), medical facilities are limited, and medicine is in short supply.

More than 25 mill. people are infected by HIV in the subsaharian Africa.

Arthropodborne diseases are a great problem in this region af Africa:

We recommend:

• Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
• Usage of insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
• Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
• Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses

Arthropodborne diseases:

• Malaria
• Filariasis
• Leishamaniasis in arid areas
• Relapsing fever
• Epidemic typhus
• Yellow fever
• Onchocerciasis
• Trypanosomiasis
• Plague

Water- and foodborne diseases:

• Amoebiasis
• Cholera
• E.coli
• Giardiasis
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis E
• Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

• Hepatitis B
• Trachoma
• HIV
• Polio
• Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis)

Vaccinations recommended:

• Yellow fever
• Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin (IG)
• Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
• Meningitis
• Typhoid fever - vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region
• Rabies - if risk for contact with wild or domestic animals
• A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years.

Stay healthy:

• Wash hands often with soap and water;
• Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans;
• Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes;
• Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it;
• Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn;
• Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot;
• Do not travel at night;
• Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful;
• Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases;
• Don't eat food purchased from street vendors;
• Use mefloquine as malaria prophylaxis.

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