Democratic Republic of the Congo Bandiera della Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cartina geografica della Democratic Republic of the Congo

 General informations

Country Name

Democratic Republic of Congo

Continent

Africa

Surface area

2,344,885 km²

Capital

Kinshasa

Population

91,400,000

Language

French

Currency

Congolese Franc (CDF

Time zone

+1hr compared to Italy

Area code for Italy

0039

Area code from Italy

00243

 Prevention

Yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for all travellers over 9 months of age. The country has a risk of transmission and vaccination is recommended.

Cholera

Cholera is spread by the consumption of contaminated food and water. Vaccination is recommended, especially if you intend to travel to rural areas where the disease is widespread and there is limited access to clean water.

Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by contaminated food and water, or close physical contact with an infected person, whereas Hepatitis B is transmitted by exposure to infected body fluids and blood.

Meningococcus

Meningitis is endemic throughout the country. Pre-travel consultation to evaluate vaccination requirements is strongly recommended.

Polio

Polio is typically transmitted by contaminated food and water and can be caused by three different types of polio viruses. Infections caused by one type of virus do not protect against the others.

Rabies

Infection typically occurs through contact with the saliva of an infected animal, usually caused by bites, scratches or licks near open wounds or mucous membranes (e.g. mouth, nose, eyes). The most common vectors are dogs and bats, but cases of infection in other domestic animals have also been reported.

Typhus

Bacterial in origin, typhoid fever is transmitted through contaminated food and drink, especially in regions with inadequate sanitary conditions.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease of bacterial origin. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers at risk of developing severe symptoms or coming into contact with infected individuals. It is also recommended for all travellers under the age of 16, who plan to stay in the country for more than 3 months.

Malaria

Malaria is transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitos and is widespread throughout the country. As a vaccine is still not available, you must take careful precautions to avoid mosquito bites and in some cases it may be necessary to take antimalarial medication, after thorough evaluation by a qualified doctor.

Chikungunya, Dengue

These diseases are spread by the bites of infected mosquitos and there are no vaccines. Consequently, it is important to adopt careful behavioural and preventive measures.

Insect bites and stings

Diseases such as Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Rift Valley Fever, Leishmaniasis, African trypanosomiasis and West Nile virus, are present in some parts of Central Africa. As these diseases are transmitted by insect bites and there are no vaccines, it is important to adopt careful behavioural and preventive measures.

The following vaccinations are strongly recommended as these diseases can be contracted anywhere in the world. Experts advise that you protect yourself and other travellers by making sure you are up-to-date with all of the recommended vaccinations. This will allow you to travel safely, while minimising the risk of exposure to infection.

 Territory and climate

The country is located in central Africa and bordered by the Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north, Uganda to the northeast, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania to the east, Zambia to the southeast, Zambia and Angola to the south, and the Republic of Congo to the west. For a short stretch, it also overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.

The climate is warm, with average temperatures between 27 and 35 °C. Rainfall is concentrated in the rainy season from September to May, with the possibility of violent thunderstorms from April-May and November-December.

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