Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• 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.
  
  
• Drug trafficking carries severe penalties.  See the Local Laws and Customs section of this travel advice for more details.
  
  
• The cyclone season in Mauritius normally runs from November to May.  See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical cyclones for more details.
  
  
• Around 100,000 British tourists visit Mauritius every year (Source: Government of Mauritius). Although crime levels are low, you should be aware that theft, assault and rape do occur.  17 British nationals required consular assistance in Mauritius in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (3 cases); hospitalisations (3 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (3 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (43 cases).  
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance  for more details.