Eradicate mosquitoes. This is the best way of avoiding the chikungunya virus spreading throughout the island. Because of the recent rains and the number of people travelling from Reunion ? where 7,600 people have been infected with the disease so far ? the ministry of Health and Quality of Life is working hard to make sure the virus does not spread in Mauritius. Fifteen Mauritians have been contaminated since the beginning of the year. Other ?suspect cases? have appeared in Mahebourg but only two have tested positive so far. However, inhabitants of the village are quite scared and are taking action to try and prevent the disease.

The ministry issued a public communiqué stating the basic measures to be taken. The public is requested to prevent any dirty and stagnant water ? outside or even in a vase ? or any waste accumulation. It is also asked to use sprays and creams to discourage mosquitoes.

At the ministry level, they have rented a fogging apparatus from Roger Fayd?herbe that will be used to eliminate mosquitoes. An important section of the staff will be deployed to clean around houses to eliminate mosquitoes. These places will also be disinfected. Private doctors and hotels have been requested to communicate any case of chikungunya to the ministry.

Infected people first suffer from rashes and high fever followed by severe pain in the muscles and swelling in lower limbs. As no specific treatment exists, patients are being treated with paracetamol for the moment. But the minister, Satish Faugoo, makes it clear there has been no epidemic so far and necessary steps are being taken to completely eradicate it from the island?