Mauritius
Travel Destination – Mauritius
Mauritius sits in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar and offers more than its well-known beaches. Travellers move easily between coastal resorts, inland hiking trails, and small towns shaped by a mix of Indian, Creole, French, and Chinese influences. The island’s compact size means that reef snorkelling, rainforest walks in Black River Gorges National Park, and visits to markets or historic estates can all be done within a short distance.
While many visitors remain within resort environments, others explore more widely across the island, including local villages and natural areas. As with any tropical destination, preparation is important. Environmental exposure, mosquito-borne illness, and food and water hygiene should all be considered before departure to reduce the risk of avoidable illness.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Mauritius, Australian travellers should arrange a pre-travel consultation, ideally six to eight weeks before departure. This provides time to review vaccination history, update routine immunisations, and discuss risks relevant to the planned itinerary.
Advice will vary depending on how you intend to travel. Those staying primarily in resort accommodation may have different exposures compared to travellers hiring cars, visiting inland regions, or eating frequently outside hotels. Water-based activities, outdoor excursions, and longer stays can also influence risk.
Even if travel is approaching soon, a consultation remains worthwhile. A travel doctor can ensure essential vaccinations are current, provide practical advice on food safety and insect protection, and recommend medications where appropriate. Travel insurance, including cover for medical care and evacuation, should be organised prior to departure.
Insect avoidance
Mosquitoes are present throughout Mauritius, particularly after rainfall and in humid conditions. Dengue is the main mosquito-borne infection of concern, with occasional local transmission reported. Cases can occur in both residential and tourist areas.
Chikungunya has occurred in the region in the past and may reappear intermittently. Both infections are spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which tend to bite during the day, often in shaded or indoor environments. At the time of writing, malaria was not present in Mauritius.
Reducing mosquito bites is the most effective preventive measure. Travellers should apply insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin to exposed skin, wear loose-fitting clothing that covers arms and legs where practical, and choose accommodation with air conditioning or screened windows. Extra care is useful when spending time outdoors during the day or early evening.
Food and water hygiene
Food is a central part of travel in Mauritius, from fresh seafood and curries to roadside snacks and market stalls.
While hygiene standards are generally reliable in established venues, gastrointestinal illness can still occur, particularly when eating in unfamiliar settings or where food handling practices are inconsistent. Symptoms usually include diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and sometimes vomiting, often beginning within one to three days of exposure.
Simple precautions reduce risk. Wash or sanitise hands before eating, choose food that is cooked thoroughly and served hot, and be cautious with buffets. Drinking bottled or treated water is a sensible approach, and ice made from untreated water is best avoided.
Rabies prevention
Rabies has not been eliminated in Mauritius. Rabies is a viral infection affecting the central nervous system, transmitted through saliva via bites, scratches, or contact with broken skin from an infected animal. Once symptoms develop, the disease is almost universally fatal, making prevention and early management critical.
Most reported rabies risk globally is associated with dogs; however, in settings where canine rabies is controlled, other mammals such as bats may still pose a theoretical risk. Travellers should avoid contact with stray or unfamiliar animals, regardless of how healthy they appear.
For most short-term travellers staying in resort-style accommodation, the risk is minimal and pre-exposure vaccination is not routinely required. However, vaccination may be considered for those spending extended periods on the island, working with animals, or travelling in a way that increases the likelihood of animal contact.
Any potential exposure, including a bite, scratch, or saliva contact with broken skin, requires prompt medical assessment. Immediate wound cleaning and access to post-exposure prophylaxis are essential, as early treatment is highly effective in preventing disease.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Mauritius?
Hepatitis A
+
Hepatitis A is a viral infection affecting the liver, most commonly acquired through contaminated food or water.
Infection can range from mild illness to more prolonged disease, with symptoms including fatigue, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice. Vaccination is widely recommended for Australian travellers who are not already immune, as it offers reliable protection and is well tolerated. Completing the full course provides long-term immunity.
Typhoid
+
Typhoid fever is a systemic bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi, transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food or water. Although the overall risk in Mauritius is lower than in many other destinations, it is not absent, particularly for travellers who eat in informal settings or spend time outside resort environments.
Symptoms may include persistent fever, headache, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal disturbance, and illness can become severe without appropriate treatment. Vaccination may be considered for travellers with higher exposure risk, particularly for longer stays or broader itineraries. Preventive measures, including safe food and water practices, remain essential.
Measles
+
For Australian travellers, measles remains a relevant consideration when travelling overseas. Measles is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted via airborne particles, capable of spreading easily in enclosed or crowded environments such as airports, aircraft, and public spaces. Clinical features typically include fever, cough, conjunctivitis, and a widespread rash.
Given the ongoing global circulation of measles, it is important that travellers have documented evidence of two doses of a measles-containing vaccine prior to departure. This level of immunisation provides strong, long-lasting protection and is a key component of travel health preparation.
Routine vaccinations
+
Australia’s comprehensive immunisation program provides a strong foundation of protection against many infectious diseases. However, this protection is not static, and immunity may diminish over time, especially in adults who have not received recommended booster doses.
Prior to travel to Mauritius, travellers should ensure that core vaccinations are current, including protection against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and measles. Hepatitis B may also be appropriate depending on individual risk profile, travel style, and planned activities.
A structured pre-travel consultation allows for careful review of immunisation history, updating of any overdue vaccines, and alignment of protection with both Australian public health recommendations and the specific exposures associated with travel.
Mauritius
Other health risks in Mauritius
Gastroenteritis
+
Gastroenteritis is a common travel-related illness that can occur in Mauritius, even though food standards are generally good in resorts and established restaurants. It is most often caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with infectious organisms and presents with diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Symptoms usually begin within 24 to 72 hours of exposure.
Most cases are self-limiting and improve with rest and adequate hydration. Oral rehydration solutions are recommended to replace fluid and electrolyte losses. Medical review should be sought if symptoms are severe, persistent, or associated with signs of dehydration. Risk reduction relies on consistent hand hygiene, choosing freshly prepared and well-cooked foods, and using bottled or treated water where appropriate.
Rabies
+
In Mauritius, rabies has not been eliminated. Rabies is a viral infection affecting the central nervous system, transmitted through saliva via bites, scratches, or contact with broken skin from an infected animal. Once symptoms develop, the disease is almost universally fatal, making prevention and early management critical.
Most reported rabies risk globally is associated with dogs; however, in settings where canine rabies is controlled, other mammals such as bats may still pose a theoretical risk. Travellers should avoid contact with stray or unfamiliar animals, regardless of how healthy they appear.
For most short-term travellers staying in resort-style accommodation, the risk is minimal and pre-exposure vaccination is not routinely required. However, vaccination may be considered for those spending extended periods on the island, working with animals, or travelling in a way that increases the likelihood of animal contact.
Any potential exposure, including a bite, scratch, or saliva contact with broken skin, requires urgent medical assessment. Immediate wound cleaning and prompt access to post-exposure prophylaxis are essential, as early treatment is highly effective in preventing disease.
Dengue and chikungunya
+
Dengue and chikungunya are mosquito-borne viral infections present in Mauritius, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes that bite primarily during daylight hours. Transmission can occur in both urban areas and tourist regions, including resort environments.
Dengue typically causes sudden onset fever, headache, and marked muscle and joint pain, while chikungunya is more strongly associated with significant and sometimes prolonged joint pain. Although most cases resolve without complications, dengue can occasionally progress to more severe illness.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for either infection, making prevention the mainstay of protection. Travellers should use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, wear protective clothing when practical, and take care to reduce mosquito exposure during daytime outdoor activities.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
+
Mauritius is generally considered a stable and welcoming destination for travellers, with most visits occurring without safety concerns. However, petty crime such as bag snatching or theft can occur, particularly in busier public areas, markets, and transport hubs. Travellers should remain aware of their surroundings and take precautions with personal belongings, especially in crowded environments. While significant unrest is uncommon in tourist areas, occasional demonstrations or public gatherings may occur and can disrupt transport or local access. Travellers are advised to avoid large protests and follow local guidance.
Before and during travel, monitor the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website for any updated safety information.
Deep vein thrombosis
+
Long-haul travel from Australia to Mauritius can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), particularly when sitting still for extended periods with limited movement. DVT is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the lower leg or thigh, due to slowed blood flow and reduced circulation. The main concern is that part of the clot can occasionally dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a serious complication known as a pulmonary embolism.
To reduce risk, travellers should aim to keep blood circulating during flights by standing and walking periodically, and performing regular ankle exercises, calf contractions, and leg stretches while seated. Choosing an aisle seat where possible can make movement easier. Maintaining adequate hydration is also important, while excessive alcohol and sedating medications should be avoided as they may increase immobility.
Travellers with additional risk factors may be advised to use graduated compression stockings and should seek individual medical advice before travel to determine whether further preventive measures are appropriate.