Mauritius: Measures to contain transmission of vector-borne diseases announced

Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Mauritian Health Minister Lormus Bundhoo has called on his compatriots to be vigilant and to take all precautionary measures to prevent the proliferation of vector-borne diseases.

Speaking to the media Wednesday, Bundhoo said the vector mosquito that can transmit both chikungunya, dengue and malaria is present in Mauritius.

''Challenges still exist in the strategy for the control and prevention of vector-borne diseases and there is need to further adopt measures to prevent local transmission of chikungunya, dengue and malaria,'' he said.

Citing the meteorological forecast for 2015, he said extreme weather events would increase, intermittent heat waves will vary between 33 and 37 degrees Celsius and cyclones and flash floods are likely to occur more frequently.

''These weather factors are conducive to the proliferation of vector-borne diseases,'' he said.

According to the Minister, the other challenges comprise: extensive travel links to endemic countries such as India, China and Thailand which cause a rise in imported cases of these diseases, lack of environmental cleanliness in most regions in Mauritius and environmental littering that promote the breeding of mosquitoes.

Bundhoo said preventive measures for chikungunya, dengue and malaria had been strengthened on the island with the setting up of three tasks force - on cleanliness and environment, communication strategy to sensitise the population on precautions to be taken and the enforcement of prevailing legislation.

According to statistics obtained from the Ministry of Health, 15 cases of malaria (imported) and 57 cases of dengue (out of which 44 were imported) were detected in Mauritius from January to 10 Oct. 2014
-0- PANA NA/SEG 15Oct2014