Yellow Fever Outbreak - Kongo Central Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, August 2016.

What is already known about this topic? Border areas with high population mobility and intense trade activities can foster outbreaks such as yellow fever, particularly in settings where vaccination coverage and health screening capacity are not optimal. In December 2015, a large yellow fever outbreak began in Angola, bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). What is added by this report? In February 2016, a yellow fever outbreak was declared in DRC; approximately 90% of suspected cases and deaths occurred in Kongo Central Province. Thirty seven of the 393 specimens tested received laboratory confirmation of yellow fever virus; 35 of these 37 cases were imported from neighboring Angola. Most imported cases occurred in persons who crossed the DRC-Angola border at a single market city, where <= 40,000 travelers cross the border each week on market day, overwhelming the border health screening program. Insufficient laboratory supplies and delayed transport of specimens to the laboratory compromised case confirmation. What are the implications for public health practice? Reinforcement of coordination between enhanced laboratory and case-based surveillance, with health border screening and cross-border trade activities, is necessary at land crossing borders to prevent and control future yellow fever outbreaks.