[Status report on public health in Mauritius in 2009]

Area of Science:

• Tropical medicine
• Public health epidemiology
• Island nation health surveillance

Context:

• Mauritius, an island nation in the southwestern Indian Ocean, has experienced substantial improvements in socio-sanitation.
• These advancements have led to a marked decrease in the incidence of many tropical diseases, aligning them with developed country levels.
• Eradication of diseases like malaria and schistosomiasis has been achieved, with others becoming rare.

Purpose:

• To analyze the current epidemiological landscape of Mauritius.
• To identify persistent and emerging public health challenges.
• To inform public health strategies in the context of socio-sanitation improvements and global health risks.

Summary:

• Tropical diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, cysticercosis, and lymphatic filariasis have been eradicated in Mauritius.
• Amebiasis, typhoid fever, and leprosy are now rare due to improved living conditions.
• Despite progress, risks persist for vector-borne diseases like Chikungunya and dengue due to climate and proximity to unaffected regions.
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) incidence has risen since 2004.
• Tuberculosis continues to be a public health issue.
• Cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, and cancer are now the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, linked to improved living standards.

Impact:

• Highlights the success of public health interventions in controlling traditional tropical diseases.
• Underscores the ongoing threat of vector-borne diseases and the need for continued vigilance.
• Points to a demographic and epidemiological transition, with non-communicable diseases becoming the primary health burden.
• Provides a basis for adapting health policies to address both infectious and non-communicable disease challenges in island nations.