Democratic Republic of the Congo

Africa
Capital:
Kinshasa
Currency:
Congolese Franc (CDF)
Risk:
Very High
Language
French; Lingala; Swahili; Kikongo
Malaria risk
High
Tap water
⚠️ Not Safe
Healthcare
Poor — inadequate throughout the country. Kinshasa has limited private hospital capacity. Outside Kinshasa, functional medical care does not exist. No emergency consular services available outside Kinshasa. Blood supply unreliable. Evacuation to South Africa or Europe is the only realistic option for serious illness.
Kit recommendation
Mission Kit
📋

Health Overview

The DRC is under a State Department Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory covering the entire country (issued 15 July 2026), driven primarily by the largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the country. WHO reported 4,665 confirmed Bundibugyo virus cases and 2,184 deaths - a case fatality ratio of 46.8% - as of 12 August 2026, across 54 health zones in six provinces; ECDC reporting through 22 August 2026 put the total at 5,514 confirmed cases and 2,642 deaths. There is no licensed vaccine and no specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus; the available Ebola vaccines target Zaire ebolavirus and do not protect against this species. A US entry restriction is in force - anyone who has been in the DRC within 21 days cannot board a US-bound commercial flight. The DRC also carries the world's highest malaria burden by case count, active Clade I mpox, meningococcal disease in Kongo Central Province, and circulating poliovirus. Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry. Healthcare outside Kinshasa is essentially nonexistent and emergency consular services are unavailable outside the capital. Be sure to consult your Dr. prior to travel to discuss
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Key Health Risks

Very High
Malaria
P. falciparum malaria with chloroquine resistance blankets the entire DRC year-round. The DRC accounts for approximately 12% of global malaria cases annually. No traveler to any part of the country should travel without chemoprophylaxis. Atovaquone-proguanil is preferred; doxycycline is an alternative.
High
Mpox (Clade I)
Active Clade I mpox outbreak across Central and Eastern Africa including the DRC (ongoing as of 2025-2026). Clade I mpox causes higher mortality than Clade II. Avoid direct contact with sick individuals and animals (rodents, primates). Healthcare workers and those with potential skin-to-skin contact are at elevated risk. The JYNNEOS vaccine provides cross-protection.
High
Meningococcal Disease
Active outbreak of meningococcal disease in Mangembo Health Zone of Kongo Central Province (CDC Level 2 notice, March 24, 2026). Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY and MenB) is strongly recommended for all DRC travelers. Bacterial meningitis has a rapid, potentially fatal clinical course in resource-limited settings.
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Health Risk Callout

Four simultaneous active health alerts as of September 2026: (1) Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease - the largest outbreak in the country's history, CDC Level 3 for Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu and Level 2 elsewhere, no vaccine or specific treatment for this species; (2) Clade I mpox ongoing; (3) meningococcal disease outbreak, Kongo Central Province; (4) Global Polio THN, DRC named. Healthcare facilities outside Kinshasa do not exist at meaningful scale. Counterfeit medications are common.
🏥

Other Health Risks

Ebola - Bundibugyo virus (ACTIVE - the largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the DRC, surpassing the 2018-2020 outbreak's 3,317 cases. WHO reported 4,665 confirmed cases and 2,184 deaths, a case fatality ratio of 46.8%, as of 12 August 2026, across 54 health zones in six provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo and Bas-Uele. ECDC reporting through 22 August 2026 put the DRC total at 5,514 confirmed cases and 2,642 deaths, with 1,200 recovered and 808 patients hospitalised in isolation. No licensed vaccine or specific treatment exists for the Bundibugyo species. Declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern - the State Department and WHO's own announcement give 17 May 2026, while WHO situation reporting and the Australian CDC give 16 May 2026. Exported cases have reached Germany and France, including two US citizens medically evacuated to Germany. Uganda declared its linked outbreak over on 28 July 2026); Mpox Clade I (ACTIVE - ongoing epidemic per WHO multi-country situation reporting); Cholera (ACTIVE - outbreak driven by conflict in eastern DRC and deteriorating health infrastructure); Tuberculosis; Schistosomiasis; Rabies; Typhoid; Travelers' diarrhea; Meningococcal disease.
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Regional Information

Regional Risk Callout
The State Department Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory of 15 July 2026 covers the entire country; the earlier structure of a Level 3 country with Level 4 sub-zones no longer applies. Risk still varies by province in practical terms. Kinshasa is the most functional zone but carries significant crime and infrastructure risk. Eastern DRC (North and South Kivu, Ituri) is under active armed conflict, with M23 and government forces fighting and Goma and Bukavu occupied, and is also the centre of the Ebola outbreak. The outbreak has since spread to Haut-Uele, Tshopo and Bas-Uele. Tanganyika, Haut Lomami, the three Kasai provinces and Mai-Ndombe carry armed conflict and communal violence risk. Western provinces are more accessible but are covered by the same country-wide Do Not Travel advisory.
Regional Healthcare Callout
Outside Kinshasa, functional hospitals do not exist. The DRC's healthcare system is among the most underfunded globally per capita. Aid workers in eastern provinces operate under field medicine protocols. Any traveler to the DRC should have a medevac plan naming a specific provider and destination hospital.
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Vaccine and Malaria Prevention

💉 Entry Vaccine Required
Yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers ≥9 months old.
🛡️ Recommended Vaccines
CDC recommends routine vaccines; COVID-19; Yellow fever (required for entry); Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Typhoid; Meningococcal (elevated — active outbreak in Kongo Central Province March 2026); Polio booster (poliovirus circulating); Rabies (high-risk country); Cholera (active transmission); Chikungunya (elevated risk)
🦟 Malaria Information
  • Risk Level: High
  • Areas: All areas of DRC
  • Recommended Drug: Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone); doxycycline; mefloquine; tafenoquine (G6PD testing required before prescribing)
  • Drug Resistance: Yes

The DRC has the highest absolute malaria case burden globally. P. falciparum is present throughout the entire country with chloroquine resistance. Malaria prophylaxis is mandatory for all travelers to any part of the country. Any febrile illness within 12 months of return from the DRC must be evaluated immediately for malaria.

High
👨

Physician Note

R
Dr. Robert
Emergency Medicine · 25+ Years · 40+ Countries

The DRC is the most medically demanding destination on this platform, and the reason has changed since this dossier was last written. The country is in the largest Ebola outbreak it has ever recorded - Bundibugyo virus, roughly 4,700 confirmed cases and over 2,100 deaths as of mid-August, a case fatality ratio near 47%.

The clinical point that matters most: there is no licensed vaccine and no specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus. Ervebo and the Zabdeno/Mvabea regimen target Zaire ebolavirus and will not protect against this species. Anyone who believes they are covered because they have had an Ebola vaccine is mistaken.

Beyond Ebola, the DRC has the world's highest absolute malaria burden and complete chloroquine resistance. Atovaquone-proguanil is my first choice here; doxycycline is a reasonable alternative for cost-conscious Kinshasa-based travelers. Meningococcal disease is active in Kongo Central - MenACWY plus MenB before departure. Clade I mpox is more severe than the clade seen in the 2022 global outbreak.

Practically, the 21-day US re-entry restriction reshapes every itinerary. Healthcare outside Kinshasa does not exist; Clinique Ngaliema is the reference point in the capital and evacuation to Johannesburg is the realistic plan. Be sure to consult your Dr. prior to travel to discuss

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Pre-Departure Checklist

8+ Weeks

  • State Dept Level 4 - Do Not Travel, entire country (issued 15 July 2026). Settle whether this trip should proceed at all before booking anything.
  • US re-entry restriction: anyone who has been in the DRC within 21 days cannot board a US-bound commercial flight. Plan on 21 days outside the DRC before flying home.
  • Be sure to consult your Dr. prior to travel to discuss
  • CDC recommends Yellow fever vaccine (required - 10-day lead required; Bring the card)
  • Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY and MenB given active outbreak)
  • Hepatitis A complete series
  • Hepatitis B series
  • Typhoid
  • Polio booster
  • Begin malaria prophylaxis consultation
  • Consider rabies pre-exposure series if wildlife or animal exposure anticipated
  • JYNNEOS mpox vaccine if eligible and at risk.

2-4 Weeks

  • Confirm medevac insurance with named provider - and confirm in writing whether the policy covers suspected viral haemorrhagic fever
  • Cholera vaccine if indicated
  • Obtain doxycycline or atovaquone-proguanil prescription
  • Assemble field medical kit
  • Bring all medications from home in original packaging with prescriptions
  • NOTE: Ebola Bundibugyo virus outbreak active across six provinces - Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo and Bas-Uele. CDC advises reconsidering nonessential travel to Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu (Level 3) and enhanced precautions elsewhere in the DRC (Level 2). No vaccine protects against this species.

Day Of

  • Start atovaquone-proguanil per schedule
  • Carry yellow fever card separately from passport (required at border)
  • Confirm emergency contact at Clinique Ngaliema
  • Carry US Embassy emergency number
  • Confirm you can remain outside the DRC for 21 days before your US-bound flight
  • Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak active across six provinces - avoid contact with sick individuals, bodily fluids and funeral practices, and avoid healthcare facilities in outbreak areas for nonurgent care.
✈️

Trip Type Guidance

Mission travel: the DRC is under a country-wide State Department Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory (15 July 2026) and is in the middle of the largest Ebola outbreak in its history. Earlier guidance in this dossier treated Kinshasa and the Kasai region as workable for mission teams with the eastern provinces off-limits; that framing no longer holds. The advisory now covers the entire country, and the outbreak has spread beyond the east into Haut-Uele, Tshopo and Bas-Uele. Any team still considering deployment must account for the 21-day US re-entry restriction, which adds a three-week tail before anyone can fly home. Vetted local hosts, written medevac plans naming a provider and a receiving hospital, full prophylaxis including MenACWY and MenB, and Ebola-specific infection control protocols are minimum requirements rather than best practice.

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Notes

Special Evacuation Notes
Medical evacuation destination is typically South Africa (Netcare or MedClinic facilities in Johannesburg). Direct medevac contracts with providers such as African Air Rescue or AMREF Flying Doctors are strongly recommended. U.S. Embassy cannot provide emergency services outside Kinshasa. Note that suspected viral haemorrhagic fever narrows evacuation options sharply - most air ambulance operators will not carry a suspected Ebola case without specialised isolation capability. During the current outbreak, confirmed patients evacuated from the DRC were moved to Germany and France rather than to regional facilities. Confirm with your evacuation provider, in writing and before departure, whether their policy covers suspected viral haemorrhagic fever.
Safety Notes
State Department Level 4 - Do Not Travel applies to the entire country as of 15 July 2026, not only the eastern provinces. All travel outside Kinshasa requires security assessment and host organization support. Eastern DRC (Kivu, Ituri) must not be accessed under any circumstances — armed conflict, kidnapping, and mass atrocity are ongoing, and these provinces are also the centre of the Ebola outbreak. Even Kinshasa has significant crime risk including robbery, carjacking, and armed home invasion. Police cannot respond effectively. Avoid demonstrations. Never photograph government buildings, military sites, or border areas (arrestable offense).
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Good For
Mission
Quick Info
  • Capital
    Kinshasa
  • Language
    French; Lingala; Swahili; Kikongo
  • Currency
    Congolese Franc (CDF)
  • State Dept Level
    4
  • Crime Risk
    High
  • Disaster Risk
    Moderate — DRC is prone to volcanic activity (Nyiragongo volcano near Goma, North Kivu), seasonal flooding, and landslides in the eastern highlands
Water Safety
⛔️ Tap Water Not Safe to Drink
Tap water is not safe anywhere in the DRC. Infrastructure is severely degraded outside Kinshasa. Bottled water only; avoid ice of uncertain origin. In remote areas, water purification tablets or filtration is essential.
Top Hospital
Clinique Ngaliema
Kinshasa
One of the most functional private hospitals in Kinshasa; used by international community and NGO staff; offers emergency care, surgery, and limited ICU capacity. Located in the Ngaliema district. Requires advance payment.
Emergency Numbers
There is no national emergency number in the DRC. State Dept's own emergency reference list gives "local numbers only" for police, fire and ambulance. In Kinshasa: 112 (police); 118 (fire) - confirmed by both FCDO and the CIA World Factbook. FCDO states there is no general emergency medical number in Kinshasa or anywhere else in the country. Response is unreliable and largely limited to major cities; outside Kinshasa assume no service and rely on your host organization and evacuation provider.
Emergency
No ambulance number exists. FCDO states there is no general emergency medical number in Kinshasa or anywhere else in the DRC, and State Dept lists ambulance service for the DRC as "local numbers only". To request an ambulance you must telephone a hospital directly - in Kinshasa, Clinique Ngaliema. There is no dispatch number to call. Arrange an evacuation provider before departure and carry their number. NOTE: 112 is the Kinshasa police line, not an ambulance line.
Ambulance
US Embassy
+243 97-261-6145 (business hours); +243 81-884-4609 (business hours, alternate line listed by the Embassy); +243 81-556-0151 or +243 81-556-0152 (after hours, weekends and holidays - ask for the Duty Officer). Business hours are given as Mon-Fri 08:00-12:00 on travel.state.gov and as Mon-Thu 07:30-17:15 and Fri 07:30-12:30 on the Embassy's own contact page; the Embassy's own hours are the more recently published. Embassy Kinshasa is currently closed to the public - emergency consular assistance is by telephone. ACSKinshasa@state.gov.
https://cd.usembassy.gov/embassy/kinshasa/
Resources
Primary Sources
Direct lines to the agencies that publish the world's most trusted travel-health guidance.
CDC Travelers' HealthState Dept Travel AdvisoryCDC Health NoticesCDC Yellow BookWHO Travel HealthSTEP Enrollment