The only proof of vaccination required is against yellow fever for those over one year of age arriving from areas at risk of yellow fever transmission. This includes most of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America. The decision whether to take the vaccination will depend on which country you are coming from and whether the vaccine suits you. If you are arriving into Mauritius from an endemic zone then seek specialist advice as to whether you need the vaccine or can take an exemption certificate.
The traveller to any tropical country will benefit from the following vaccinations: tetanus, diphtheria and polio and hepatitis A. For longer trips, ie: four weeks or more, typhoid and hepatitis B vaccine should also be considered. You are advised to visit your doctor well in advance of your trip to plan the vaccine schedule.
According to the Mauritian authorities, there is no malaria risk in Mauritius or Rodrigues. Visitors generally do not take anti-malaria medication.
To combat the annoyance of mosquitoes during the night, most hotels supply an electric mosquito repellent vaporiser. You should use a DEET-containing repellent (50–55%) for the body, particularly in the evenings. Remember though that there may also be day-biting mosquitoes that can carry dengue fever (see below) or chikungunya (see box, page 58) so keep your repellent to hand at all times.
Although the water in Mauritius is officially safe to drink in most places, water, and ice, can be the cause of minor upsets. A sensible precaution is to drink only bottled water (obtainable everywhere), to clean your teeth with bottled water and to do without ice in your drinks. Bottled soft drinks, mixers and soda water are usually served cold. Do not drink tap water during or after a cyclone or heavy rains as bacteria and viruses can be washed into the water supply and treatment problems may occur.
Mauritius is considered to have no rabies in terrestrial animals but does potentially have rabies in bats. Exposure to bat saliva or brain tissue should be considered a potential risk and medical help should be sought as soon as possible. On the whole the risk for travellers is very low.
For those who are looking for it, romance is easy to find in Mauritius. However, AIDS is present on the island and visitors should be aware of the dangers.
DENGUE FEVER his acute febrile illness is caused by the dengue virus and is transmitted by day-biting mosquitoes. The incubation period of the disease is from 3–14 days and classically starts with pain behind the eyes, followed by fever, rash and joint pain, among other symptoms. The illness is often self-limiting though unpleasant and treatment is supportive and symptomatic. There are no vaccines or tablets to prevent dengue fever. There are four serotypes; second infections with a different serotype can lead to more serious and potentially fatal disease. It is wise to use insect repellents on exposed skin during daylight hours.
Vaccination centres & pharmacies
I International Vaccination Centre Mutual Aid Bldg, Victoria Sq, Port Louis; % 212 4464
Pharmacies Pharmacies are well stocked with European/US proprietary medicines, are open in the evenings in most towns, and there are dispensaries and health centres in most villages.
MEDICAL TOURISM
Medical tourism, particularly cosmetic surgery and dentistry, is on the rise with a growing number of clinics offering treatment and recovery in Mauritius for procedures such as hair transplants, breast augmentation and cosmetic dentistry. Special packages are available, including flights, accommodation and treatment. Facilities are generally modern and treatment in Mauritius may be cheaper than in your home country but, as with all medical tourism, it pays to do your research. Many of the doctors seem to be trained in France, so it is worth checking whether English is spoken at your preferred clinic.
One of the larger clinics is Centre de Chirurgie Esthétique de l’Océan Indien in Trou aux Biches which offers hair transplants and cosmetic surgery, including breast augmentation, lipo-sculpture, rhinoplasty and face lifts. It also incorporates a cosmetic dentistry clinic, Challenge 32 which has a team of French-trained dentists.
CHIKUNGUNYA VIRUS INFECTION
Chikungunya is a viral disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. It is endemic to large parts of Africa, the Middle East, India and southeast Asia, and has some similarities to dengue fever, which is widespread in most tropical regions.
During 2006 there were increased numbers of cases of chikungunya reported in Réunion, Mauritius and the Seychelles, with over 1,100 cases reported in Mauritius by March 2006. The main preventive measure taken by the authorities is to spray against mosquitoes and to reduce their breeding grounds. Cases continue to occur though in smaller numbers in more recent years but it is still wise to take precautions as described below.
Symptoms appear between four and seven days after a bite by the infected mosquito. A high fever and headache occur, with significant pains in the joints (eg: ankles and wrists). Most patients recover fully over a period of a few weeks, although 5–10% of patients will experience joint symptoms that can persist for a year or more. The virus is rarely fatal.
There is no vaccine available to protect against chikungunya. Travellers are advised to take precautions against insect bites (ie: use insect repellent on areas of exposed skin), particularly during daylight hours when these mosquitoes are active. Pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses should seek specific expert advice before travelling.
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