Sub Saharan Africa

There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) - Swine Influenza in Mauritius (source:  World health Organisation). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice.  There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website.  Guidance on pandemic flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.

Good private healthcare in Mauritius is available, although this can be costly if you are not insured.  More complex cases could require evacuation to Reunion or South Africa.

Chikungunya occurs in Mauritius, particularly in the warmer months (October-May).

Although there are no malarial mosquitos in Mauritius, on arrival at the airport an officer from the Ministry of Health may ask you for a blood sample if you have travelled from a country where malaria is common.

Stonefish stings are uncommon but can in some cases be fatal.  You should obtain urgent medical attention if stung.  Many hotels stock anti-venom serum.

Stray and sometimes vicious dogs are common in Mauritius.  However, rabies is not a risk.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 13,000 adults aged 15 or over in Mauritius were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.7% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see the HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Mauritius and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) or NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.