Chikungunya in Republic of Congo

24 Apr 2019

The government of Congo (Republic of Congo) has reported 5 272 suspected cases of Chikungunya as of 7 April. The cases have been reported in the south of the country in 8 departments: Kouilou, Bouenza, Pointe Noire, Plateaux, Pool, Niari, Lékoumou and Brazzaville. The department of Kouillou is the most affected with 41% of cases reported (n=2 197). No deaths have been reported.

WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in developing a national response plan for the next three months.

Advice for Travellers

No vaccine is available against chikungunya. Avoidance of mosquito bites is the only reliable means of prevention. Methods of bite avoidance include:

• Wearing long, loose, lightly coloured clothing to cover up the skin.
• The use of insect repellant containing DEET  applied to any exposed skin.
• The use of permethrin, impregnated mosquito nets.
• The use of air conditioning if available and/or mesh screening of windows and doors.
• Eradication of mosquito breeding sites around the home (e.g. open containers, old tyres or flower pots that may collect water).

For further information see Chikungunya Fever.