Health risks in Mauritius
Mauritius is an attractive destination as most visitors (especially EU Nationals) do not require any vaccinations prior to coming to Mauritius, and there are no major health concerns.
Covid-19 in Mauritius
Mauritius recorded its first cases of COVID-19 in March 2020. The country closed its borders for 7 months and managed to get rid of the virus after over 400 infections and 10 deaths from the virus.
In March 2021, new cases were recorded while the borders had been reopened under conditions since October 1, 2020. The population was, once again, locked into their homes, the country closed its borders and began to vaccinate its population. Mauritius reopened its borders on October 1, 2021 after having vaccinated 67% of its inhabitants with at least one dose, the second highest vaccination rate in Africa, after Seychelles. Vaccination is then open to 18-year-olds and above. The vaccines offered are Sinopharm, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) and Sputnik V. The country will receive the Pfizer vaccine shortly thereafter.
Mauritius recorded its first 2 cases of the Omicron variant in December 2021. This second wave was aggressive despite high vaccination rates. 22 393 people were infected and 660 died in 8 months (Editor's note: data as of 10 December 2021).
The epidemic has been under control since mid-2022. Currently, masks are only mandatory in hospitals and retirement homes.
Status of other diseases in Mauritius
Malaria: There is no malaria in the country. Only a few imported cases have been identified in recent years.
Chikungunya: The 2005/2006 Chikungunya epidemic has been contained.
Dengue: There are currently no cases of dengue (viral infection transmitted by mosquito bites called Aedes Albopictus) in Mauritius, but caution is advised during periods of heavy rain and humidity.
Pollution: It is mainly due to exhaust fumes. The system of collection and treatment of household waste is also not quite efficient enough yet to cope with the growing population due to tourism and new residents in Mauritius.
Rabies: There is no animal rabies in Mauritius. Note, however that there are many stray dogs and cats without any vaccination and that one should be careful or consult a doctor in case of a bite.
AIDS: The number of cases in Mauritius in 2021 was estimated at 8,440. This is a random figure, as testing is not mandatory, except in the case of blood donation.
Needle exchange has been set up in Mauritius with the contribution of PILS (Prévention Information Lutte contre le Sida) in order to reduce the risks of contamination by injection. No serological test for HIV infection is required for visitors entering the country. However, in order to obtain an Occupation Permit, a certificate of seronegativity must be produced and the test must be done in Mauritius.
Fight against drug addiction in Mauritius
Drug addiction: The latest statistical reports on drug addiction in Mauritius are alarming. The authorities report an increasing number of drug addicts (hard drugs derived from opium, cocaine, medicated drugs such as Subutex, soft drugs, such as cannabis).
Substitute drugs are a major scourge and have been heavily trafficked.
All drugs are strictly prohibited in Mauritius, including soft drugs that are not legal. Medical cannabis is in the process of legalization, however, and consumption of cannabis has also been depenalized.
In addition, for the past few years, synthetic drugs have been attracting more and more young people, and authorities have been struggling to keep the traffic of synthetic cannabinoids controlled.
