According to figures from the Ministry of Health on Tuesday, March 12, Mauritius has approximately 452 active cases of Dengue, while Rodrigues has 192. In total, these two countries which form part of the Republic of Mauritius have recorded 4,244 cases of Dengue in three months, i.e. since December 11, 2023.
As a reminder, four deaths linked to the virus have been reported to date. Remember that the first case of dengue fever was recorded on December 11. Since then, 3037 cases have been recorded in Mauritius and 1207 cases in Rodrigues.
It is important to note that although initially only the regions of Port-Louis or the North were affected, several cases of Dengue, many of which required hospitalization, were recorded throughout the country.
Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito (Aedes/tiger mosquito) to humans.
The symptoms of dengue fever include:
- High fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Nausea
- Rashes
Those experiencing the above symptoms are asked to go to the health center closest to their residence.
To protect against dengue fever which is transmitted by mosquitoes, the ministry advises members of the public to take the following precautions:
- Wear long clothing that covers arms and legs.
- Use mosquito nets.
- Use mosquito repellent products (cream, lotion, spray, coil, electric diffuser.)
- Drain the water that accumulates on the roofs of houses.
- Check that the water pipes and gutters (dalo) are not blocked.
- Cover water tanks properly so that mosquitoes do not have access to them.
- Get rid of any object that could retain water in the external environment. (Used tires, cans, household waste.)
- Change the water in flower vases at least once a week.
- Regularly clear and clean unoccupied land.
- Make sure there is no water retention in the plates under the flower pots.
- Regularly remove dead leaves from your yard.