There are currently no mandatory vaccinations required for your stay in Mauritius, but if you still want to make sure you are healthy, here are some useful tips.
To give you time to get all the vaccinations and medications you need, see your doctor at least a month before your trip. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides a specific vaccine or medication, visit the clinics in Mauritius page.
Routine vaccines recommended in Mauritius:
- Chickenpox (Varicella)
- Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis
- Influenza
- Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
- Polio
- Zoster
- In principle, all eligible travelers should be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccine, but vaccination status is not checked at the airport. (This information will be updated as changes occur. Last updated: 2022.08.25)
Hepatitis A:
- Not required for those 1 year of age or older, but recommended.
- Infants 6-11 months of age should also be vaccinated against hepatitis A. The dose is not included in the routine 2-dose series.
- Travelers over 40 years of age, immunocompromised, or chronically ill should receive the initial dose of vaccine within less than 2 weeks, and immune globulin at the same time.
Hepatitis B:
- Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of any age.
/Personal note: Neither Adam nor I know if we are vaccinated against Hepatitis A or B. We did not get vaccinated in advance. If we see the need, we will do it here, but the country is not a hotspot, so not for now./
Measles:
- Babies aged 6-11 months travelling abroad should receive 1 dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travelling, but some countries have regulations that prevent children from receiving this vaccine before the age of 1. This dose is not included in the routine childhood vaccination series. However, there is no cause for concern, measles is not present in Mauritius.
Rabies:
- There are many stray dogs in Mauritius, but the country is free from dog rabies. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal during your stay, rabies treatment is available, but consider getting a rabies vaccine before traveling if your activities will put you in close proximity to wild animals.
- Travelers who are more likely to encounter rabid animals
- Campers, adventure hikers or cavers
- Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
- Rabies in Mauritius is most commonly spread by bats.
Typhoid:
- Recommended for those who plan to visit areas with poor hygiene and overcrowded communities.
Disease prevention in Mauritius
- Avoid tap water. The water quality of the water supply in Mauritius is good and safe to drink, but the condition of the pipes leading from the mains to the houses is not monitored. The water enters the houses into a water tank, and then from there into the house or apartment. This can contaminate the water supply, so don’t take any chances. You can cook and bathe with it, but don’t use it for drinking.
- Avoid mosquitoe bites. Due to its subtropical climate, Mauritius has a lot of mosquitoes. You can effectively protect yourself against them with various sprays and essential oils. Tip – Moustidose brand (black and white packaging spray) is effective for 7 hours.
- Use sunscreen: Tip – We arrived tanned, but we still managed to burn in the first few days, the sun can be so hot.
- Be especially careful in the summer months. Since sunlight reflects off the sand and water, sun exposure can be increased during activities such as water skiing, swimming or sailing.
Be safe near the water
- All beaches in Mauritius are free to visit, which you can approach from land or water, but preferably swim in designated swimming areas. Follow the warning buoys on the beaches, do not swim beyond them.
- Do not dive in shallow water, there can be a lot of sea urchins in the rocky areas.
- Do not swim in areas with stagnant freshwater or where hygiene is poor.
Stay away from animals
- Most animals avoid people, but may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young, their territory, or if they are injured or sick. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases, such as rabies.
Follow these tips to stay safe:
- Do not touch or feed an animal you do not know.
- Traveling pets should be supervised and should not be allowed to interact with local animals.
- You may encounter macaques on forest and mountain hikes. Do not feed, eat near them, or take prolonged photographs or look them in the eye as they may become irritable.
- Some stray dogs, bats, monkeys, and marine animals, such as jellyfish, can be dangerous. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and clean water and seek medical attention.
TIP after reading the entire health article: When traveling overseas, use the same common sense you would at home, be alert, and be aware of your surroundings. Mauritius not dangerous, it’s not a disease-ridden country where you’ll be attacked by a dog or a macaque at every corner. Just be prepared to make your trip enjoyable.
