The mission of medical experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has found that the public is not as informed as it should be as far as prevention against the chikungunya virus is concerned. While the number of suspected cases keeps growing everyday, the causes of the proliferation of mosquitoes ? the vector of the disease ? have not all been eliminated.

Even though the WHO specialists consider that the measures taken by the Mauritian authorities have been ?excellent? so far, the reduction in the numbers of mosquitoes can be done otherwise than with the fogging machines provided by the ministry or the private sector. The first step to be taken by every single citizen is the elimination of anything that could contain stagnant water (car tyres, flower vases, basins?) because this is where mosquitoes like to breed.

In view of that recommendation by the WHO experts, the minister of Health, Satish Faugoo, announced that he would ?involve the community. We have to educate and inform them.? There must be a complete change in people?s mentalities to make sure the disease is controlled. A few days before, the prime minister had called upon the public, stating that it is everyone?s responsibility to take all steps so that the virus does not spread.

With this in mind, citizens also have to protect themselves physically from mosquitoes. People have pounced on mosquito repellents since the disease started to spread and importing companies are now faced with shortages. Hence, the ministry of Trade has decided to remove taxes on airfreight for the import of such products. This decision will be valid until the end of the campaign against chikungunya. On the one hand, this should make these products more affordable for all. On the other, the measure should allow shops, supermarkets and pharmacies to be supplied more quickly.

During their visit to Mauritius, the experts also made it clear that ?Mauritius is not a restricted destination?. (see inset) Dr Ousmane Faye explained that chikungunya is a ?painful fever. Visitors go to countries where malaria, a fatal disease, still exists whereas chikungunya doesn?t kill?. The head of the WHO delegation, Pierre Formenty, pointed out that, unlike epidemics like the SARS, which killed 10% of the people infected, or ebola, which kills about 90% of them, the chikungunya has only killed 0.1% of the people infected with the virus so far.

Despite criticisms by former minister of Health, Ashok Jugnauth ? who believes the government is dragging with the way they are dealing with the virus ? the experts look confident that Mauritius is taking appropriate steps towards the elimination of the disease. Although there is no reason to panic, the public should show solidarity and make sure it takes all precautions to prevent the spread of the virus?

CHIKUNGUNYA IN THE LIMELIGHT ON FRENCH TV

Despite all precautions taken by the Mauritian authorities to issue regular communiqués to try and calm tourists down, the sector is starting to suffer from the negative consequences of the chikungunya epidemic. Even though the number of cases is definitely on the rise, the government has tried to make it clear that the situation is under control. Even the WHO experts said the destination was ?not restricted?. But all this can?t prevent tourists from being afraid that the virus may take on alarming proportions and they do not want to take any risks. Even the minister of Tourism, Xavier-Luc Duval, admitted that ?February was not so bad but March will be a difficult month.? Players in the sector are starting to note that the number of cancellations is starting to increase. The ?publicity? the country is benefiting from in the foreign media, especially in France, does not help. While France 2 broadcast a programme on the measures implemented to fight the disease and ensure the security of tourists and local people, TF1 has done a report on the ?difficult situation in hospitals? with local people alledging that the ?Mauritian government was hiding the facts?. TF1 showed the crowded hospital halls saying that the staff had difficulties dealing with all the suspected cases. They even questioned the statistics revealed by the authorities, saying that most of the people coming to the hospital were sent back home without being tested. France 2 chose to show a more positive - and more realistic - aspect of the situation; they did a sort of investigation on the measures taken for tourists from the airport to their hotels. The tourists questioned said they were satisfied with the steps taken to guarantee their safety.