Mauritius and United States boost Indian Ocean security cooperation
On Wednesday, Mauritius' Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maneesh Gobin, met with Robert Scott, Deputy Commander for Civil-Military Engagement at the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM). Their talks focused on maritime security challenges in the Western Indian Ocean. U.S. Ambassador to Mauritius, Henry Jardine, also attended the meeting.
USAFRICOM, based in Stuttgart, Germany, is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the U.S. Department of Defense. It oversees U.S. military operations and manages regional conflicts, aiming to promote effective governance among African partners and reduce threats from violent extremist groups and transnational criminal organizations.
5,903 dengue cases since December
Since December 11, Mauritius has recorded 5,903 dengue cases, averaging about a thousand cases per month. Currently, there are 369 active local cases and one imported case from India. Although the number of active cases is slowing down, the Ministry of Health has reported eight deaths so far, with Port Louis, Pamplemousses, and Rivière du Rempart being the most affected areas. With an average of 300 new dengue cases per week, the risk of spreading remains high despite the winter season, requiring ongoing vigilance.
Leptospirosis still a major concern
The leptospirosis outbreak also remains a serious concern, with five active cases reported as of yesterday. These cases involve residents of Piton, Crève-Cœur, Sainte-Croix, Saint-Hilaire, and Quatre-Bornes, all of whom are hospitalized. Since January 11, there have been 28 reported cases, with five deaths, all in patients with underlying health conditions.
New solar farm inaugurated in Bambous
On Thursday morning, the Minister of Public Utilities, Joe Lesjongard, inaugurated a new 10 MW solar farm in La Valette, Bambous. This Rs 550 million project is a key part of the country's energy transition and is expected to be fully operational by February 2025. Lesjongard highlighted the importance of this initiative in promoting green energy as a pillar of the Mauritian economy. He also noted that efforts to democratize renewable energy production are underway, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable energy future for Mauritius.
