Government adopts multisectoral strategy against communicable diseases, says Minister Bachoo

“The present situation is being dealt with in a serious, structured and evidence-based manner,” said the Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Anil Kumar Bachoo, today in the National Assembly, in reply to a Private Notice Question regarding the recent outbreaks of chikungunya, dengue, leptospirosis and Mpox in Mauritius.

At the outset, the Minister reassured that his Ministry was treating the situation “with utmost seriousness,” while outlining the number of confirmed cases, deaths, preventive actions and national response mechanisms being implemented to contain the spread of communicable diseases.

From January to 11 May 2026, Mauritius recorded 2,816 local cases of chikungunya, including 102 active cases, while all five imported cases have recovered. Regarding dengue, one local case and six imported cases were reported, with all patients having recovered. As for leptospirosis, 21 cases were registered, including six deaths involving patients with severe forms of the disease and underlying co-morbidities, including one patient who was brought dead to hospital. Two imported cases of Mpox involving travellers arriving from Madagascar were also detected, with both patients having recovered and no signs of infection reported among their contacts.

Explaining the characteristics of the diseases, the Minister pointed out that chikungunya and dengue are mosquito-borne viral infections transmitted mainly by infected Aedes mosquitoes, while leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease spread through contact with water, soil or mud contaminated by infected animal urine. Mpox, he recalled, spreads mainly through close contact with infected persons, contaminated materials or animals.

Since the outbreaks, extensive sensitisation campaigns have been carried out nationwide. According to Mr Bachoo, these comprised 224 community sensitisation sessions, 61 health education talks in high-risk areas, sensitisation programmes for 400 municipal and district council workers, more than 200 radio and television interventions, campaigns across nine digital media platforms, and the distribution of over 30,000 posters and leaflets.

The Minister further underlined that large-scale vector control and environmental sanitation exercises are underway. A total of 25,341 premises were inspected, while 524 sanitary notices, 2,195 water notices and 1,300 statements of nuisance were issued. More than 105,905 premises were treated with larvicides, mist blowing activities were conducted at 81,535 locations, and indoor residual spraying was carried out in 1,811 houses. In addition, 100,000 male sterile mosquitoes are being released weekly as part of mosquito population control measures.

With regard to leptospirosis, Mr Bachoo cautioned that “these diseases cannot be controlled by the Ministry of Health and Wellness alone,” adding that “a One Health and multisectoral approach is essential” as the diseases involve the intersection of human health, animal health and the environment. On that score, several multisectoral meetings have been organised with Ministries responsible for Environment, Agriculture, Veterinary Services and Local Government, alongside municipal and district councils, police authorities, public health inspectors, hospitals, laboratories and private stakeholders.

The Minister stated that Government’s strategy hinges on strengthened surveillance, early diagnosis, standardised clinical management, public sensitisation, rodent control and occupational health protection. Mapping of high-risk localities and clusters has also been undertaken, notably in Plaine Wilhems, Port Louis and Black River for chikungunya cases.

Referring to rodent control measures, the Minister informed that the Rodent Control Unit carried out 25,492 interventions in 2025 compared to 9,751 in 2024. Measures include intensified baiting exercises, environmental clean-up campaigns, drain cleaning, waste management, clearing of illegal dumping sites, and interventions around rivers, canals, livestock areas and residential zones.

The Minister also highlighted the contribution of local authorities, which cleaned around 3,100 plots of bare land, intensified rodent control activities. They issued some 2,800 notices, conducted regular drain cleaning operations, and organised fortnightly flushing of markets and fairs with the support of the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service.

Mr Bachoo further reassured that all regional hospitals and designated health institutions are equipped with isolation and treatment facilities for infectious diseases. Enhanced surveillance measures are also in place at the airport and port, where sanitary officers screen incoming passengers and vessels. Travellers arriving from affected countries are subject to follow-up monitoring by Regional Health Offices.

In addition, the Ministry maintains adequate stocks of vaccines for Mpox, mosquito repellent creams, laboratory testing kits, personal protective equipment, insecticides, rodenticides and essential medicines, including antibiotics, analgesics and intensive care drugs.

The Minister urged the public to play its role by maintaining clean surroundings and preventing mosquito breeding and rodent infestation. He deplored that not many citizens are not maintaining their lands thereby causing public nuisances to the neighbourhood.

Mauritius recorded 9,393 dengue cases and eight deaths in 2024, compared to only 55 cases and no deaths in 2025. “I am confident that the decisions taken by the Government as far as public health and sanitary measures are concerned will bear their fruits and that we will win this battle against the spread of these diseases,” Mr Bachoo said in his concluding remarks.

12 May 2026

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Topics: Health