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Mauritius is an exceptionally safe country to travel in, although there are some things to bear in mind. Taxi drivers can earn up to 30% commission from certain businesses to which they take clients. Bear this in mind if a taxi driver tells you that the place you want to go to is full or closed. Take care when walking under coconut trees and don't lie (or park your car) beneath them. The Indian Ocean is warm and tropical - beware of the many aquatic nasties. All beaches below the high-tide line are public property, so you are entitled to plop your towel down on the sand, whatever some over-officious security guard might tell you.
Mauritius lies within the cyclone belt. Most cyclones occur between December and March. While direct hits are uncommon, storms miles away can bring strong winds. Heed warnings and local advice.
Petty theft is not a major problem, but one that you should be aware of. Favourite haunts for thieves are the beaches. Île aux Cerfs is a particular hot spot. Don't take valuables to the beach and never leave your belongings unattended. Be careful in crowded places - avoid displaying your valuables. When travelling on public transport, keep your gear close by. If you hire a car, don't leave anything valuable inside. Wherever possible, park in a secure car park or at least somewhere busy. Don't leave vital documents, money or valuables in your room. Many hotels provide room safes, which are well worth using. Otherwise, leave your valuables in the safe at reception and get a receipt. While most hotels are reliable, pack everything into a large envelope with a signed seal which will reveal tampering. If you do have something stolen, report it to the police. The chances of them recovering anything are remote, but you'll need a statement if you want to claim on insurance.
The risk of malaria in Mauritius is extremely low. The disease is caused by a parasite in the bloodstream spread via the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. The early stages of malaria include headaches, fevers, generalised aches and pains, and malaise, which could be mistaken for flu. Other symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhoea and a cough. Several different drugs are used to prevent malaria, and new ones are in the pipeline - up-to-date advice is essential as some medication is more suitable for some travellers than others. There are antimalaria pills available and it is best to ask your doctor for further advice.
This disease is borne by mosquitos, and causes flu-like symptoms. It's rare to die from it, but the joint pain it causes can linger for months. It's now present in Mauritius, although it's by no means as serious as in Réunion or the Seychelles.
Cholera is usually only a problem during natural or artificial disasters (eg war, floods or earthquakes), although small outbreaks can also occur at other times. Travellers are rarely affected. It is caused by a bacteria and spread via contaminated drinking water. The main symptom is profuse watery diarrhoea, which causes debilitation if fluids are not replaced quickly. Most cases of cholera can be avoided by paying close attention to the drinking water available and by avoiding potentially contaminated food. Treatment is by fluid replacement (orally or via a drip), but sometimes antibiotics are needed. Self-treatment is not advised.
Diphtheria is spread through close respiratory contact. It usually results in a temperature and a severe sore throat. It is more of a problem for long stays than for short-term trips. The vaccine is given as an injection alone or with tetanus, and lasts 10 years.
Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food (particularly shellfish) and water. It causes jaundice and, although it is rarely fatal, it can cause prolonged lethargy and delayed recovery. If you've had hepatitis A, you shouldn't drink alcohol for up to six months afterwards, but once you've recovered, there won't be any long-term problems. The first symptoms include dark urine and a yellow colour to the whites of the eyes. Sometimes a fever and abdominal pain might be present. Hepatitis A vaccine (Avaxim, VAQTA, Havrix) is given as an injection: a single dose will give protection for up to a year, and a booster after a year gives 10-year protection. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines can also be given as a single dose vaccine, Hepatyrix or Viatim.
Hepatitis B is spread through infected blood, contaminated needles and sexual intercourse. It can also be spread from an infected mother to the baby during childbirth. It affects the liver, causing jaundice and occasionally liver failure. Most people recover completely, but some people might be chronic carriers of the virus, which could lead eventually to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Those visiting high-risk areas for long periods or those with increased social or occupational risk should be immunised. Many countries now routinely give hepatitis B as part of the routine childhood vaccination. It is given singly or can be given at the same time as hepatitis A (Hepatyrix). A course will give protection for at least five years. It can be given over four weeks or six months.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), is an enormous problem throughout Africa, but is most acutely felt in sub-Saharan Africa. The virus is spread through infected blood and blood products, by sexual intercourse with an infected partner and from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth and breast-feeding. It can be spread through 'blood to blood' contacts, such as with contaminated instruments during medical, dental, acupuncture and other body-piercing procedures, and through sharing used intravenous needles. At present there is no cure; medication that might keep the disease under control is available, but these drugs are too expensive for the overwhelming majority of Africans, and are not readily available for travellers either. If you think you might have been infected with HIV, a blood test is necessary; a three-month gap after exposure and before testing is required to allow antibodies to appear in the blood.
Meningococcal infection is spread through close respiratory contact and is more likely in crowded situations, such as dormitories, buses and clubs. Infection is uncommon in travellers. Vaccination is recommended for long stays and is especially important towards the end of the dry season. Symptoms include a fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and a red rash. Immediate medical treatment is necessary.
Rabies is spread by receiving the bites or licks of an infected animal on broken skin. It is always fatal once the clinical symptoms start (which might be up to several months after an infected bite), so post bite vaccination should be given as soon as possible. Post bite vaccination (whether or not you've been vaccinated before the bite) prevents the virus from spreading to the central nervous system. Three preventive injections are needed over a month. If you have not been vaccinated you will need a course of five injections starting 24 hours after being bitten or as soon as possible after the injury. If you have been vaccinated, you will need fewer post bite injections, and have more time to seek medical help.
Tuberculosis (TB) is spread through close respiratory contact and occasionally by infected milk or milk products. BCG vaccination is a live vaccine and should not be given to pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals. TB can be asymptomatic, only being picked up on a routine chest X-ray. Alternatively, it can cause a cough, weight loss or fever, sometimes months or even years after exposure.
Typhoid is spread through food or water contaminated by infected human faeces. The first symptom is usually a fever or a pink rash on the abdomen. Sometimes septicaemia (blood poisoning) can occur. A typhoid vaccine (Typhim Vi, Typherix) will give protection for three years. In some countries, the oral vaccine Vivotif is also available. Antibiotics are usually given as treatment, and death is rare unless septicaemia occurs.
Although yellow fever is not a problem in Mauritius, travellers should still carry a certificate as evidence of vaccination if they have recently been in an infected country. For a list of these countries visit the World Health Organization website (www.who.int/wer/) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (www.cdc.gov/travel/blusheet.htm). A traveller without a legally required, up-to-date certificate may be vaccinated and detained in isolation at the port of arrival for up to 10 days or possibly repatriated.
Poliomyelitis is generally spread through contaminated food and water. It is one of the vaccines given in childhood and should be boosted every 10 years, either orally (a drop on the tongue) or as an injection. Polio can be carried asymptomatically (ie showing no symptoms) and could cause a transient fever. In rare cases it causes weakness or paralysis of one or more muscles, which might be permanent.
