last edited Dec 11, 2019
Health and Safety in the African Indian Ocean
Location Map of African Indian Ocean
African Indian Ocean
Open the interactive map
Official Recommendations
In France, both for individuals and professionals, the "travel advice" from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding precautions for each country has legal value. A similar online travel advice system exists in several countries:
Precautions
While Mauritius, Réunion, Seychelles, and to some extent Mayotte pose no difficulties, the situation in Madagascar and the Comoros is quite different. There, precautions are necessary regarding health (dengue, malaria, etc.) and safety due to crime (Madagascar) or latent internal conflicts (Madagascar and, to a lesser extent, the Comoros).
Health
Diseases
Generally speaking, the Indian Ocean is somewhat the birthplace of chikungunya, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Therefore, in all cases, ensure good protection (repellents and more). Beyond that, there are no real problems in Réunion, Mauritius, or the Seychelles.
For Madagascar and the Comoros, dengue, malaria, and bilharzia are present in these two countries (and occasionally in Mayotte). Cholera cases have also been reported on occasion. So, pay attention to hygiene, protect yourself from mosquitoes, and avoid swimming in stagnant waters. It is also necessary to be up to date with your vaccinations.
Hygiene
While a "normal" level of hygiene is sufficient for Réunion, Mauritius, or the Seychelles, in Madagascar and the Comoros, good personal and especially food hygiene is essential. Therefore, avoid tap water and dishes or foods that do not guarantee freshness.
Safety
Crime and Delinquency
The Indian Ocean is relatively spared from crime and, except in Madagascar and to a lesser extent Mayotte, the risks are quite low.
In Madagascar, where the situation tends to worsen, it is preferable to avoid traveling at night, stay vigilant in cities regarding pickpocketing or assault risks, and take precautions when in sparsely populated areas or certain beaches prone to gang attacks. In another area, the Malagasy government has put in place a legal framework (which is very good) to combat sex tourism... with the unintended side effect that blackmail over (false) sexual harassment is now developing on the island.
Political Risks and Terrorism
There is a clear divide in this regard: on one side, Réunion, Mauritius, Mayotte, and the Seychelles have no issues, while on the other, Madagascar and, to some extent, the Comoros face different challenges. These two countries frequently experience internal political unrest, requiring visitors to take precautions when the situation becomes tense.
Climate and Nature
The Indian Ocean is a cyclone zone from November to April. This is indeed the main climatic issue in the region, though these hurricanes are generally less devastating than those in the Caribbean. Beyond that, Karthala in the Comoros and Piton de la Fournaise in Réunion are two active volcanoes.
As for animals, there are few risks other than some sharks near the coasts of Réunion, stray dogs in Madagascar and the Comoros, and especially disease-carrying mosquitoes in these two countries (plus chikungunya everywhere, including Réunion).