Two Mpox cases under close surveillance, two others in isolation
via Le Mauricien2 min read
The Ministry of Health services has identified two confirmed cases of Mpox, involving a 46-year-old Mauritian and a 31-year-old Comorian. Both individuals recently traveled to Madagascar, where several Mpox cases have been reported. After initial treatment at Victoria Hospital in Candos and Jeetoo Hospital in Port-Louis, the patients were transferred to Souillac Hospital, which has a specialized isolation unit. The interim Director of Health Services, Dr. Fazil Khodabocus, stated that a medical team is closely monitoring them. The Comorian patient initially left the hospital after being identified as a suspected case but was later located by police and placed in the southern facility. Both patients are in stable condition. As these are imported cases, the Ministry of Health is rigorously tracking them and has initiated contact tracing to prevent further spread. Two additional individuals are currently in isolation. In other public health news, Chikungunya cases have significantly increased, with 1,577 cases recorded from January to April 23, and 90 active cases. The most affected areas include Rose-Hill – Stanley, Camp Levieux, and Plaisance, with the epidemic also progressing towards Quatre-Bornes, Boundary, and Roche Brunes. Leptospirosis has claimed a fourth victim this week, with 16 cases identified since the beginning of the year. The Director of Health Services urged the public to seek medical attention for symptoms and for manual workers, such as sanitation workers, to
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Artificial intelligence AI and the digital revolution are fundamentally transforming daily life and businesses, rapidly replacing human tasks and impacting employment. While digitalization is crucial for national development, including for Mauritius, a society's progress extends beyond economic performance to include human, social, and moral dimensions. French Ambassador Frédéric Bontems highlighted the need to define "value" beyond mere measurability and monetisation, questioning how solidarity, friendship, generosity, and altruism, which are vital for social cohesion, fit into this framework. As Mauritius approaches its 2026-27 budget, the challenge lies in balancing economic growth with social justice in a rapidly changing economy. Pope Leo XIV's encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, addresses the dangers of AI, warning against a society that prioritizes data over human dignity and risks creating a "new Tower of Babel" where technological power overshadows individuals. The article emphasizes that technology should serve humanity, not the reverse, as machines cannot replicate consciousness, empathy, or human relationships. For Mauritius, the transformation of sectors like administration, services, finance, and customer relations by automation presents significant social questions. These include how to support affected workers, prepare youth for future jobs without over-reliance on digital tools, and ensure productivity gains benefit more than a minority. True progress, the artic
Quality Beverages Ltd QBL and EcoMoris Sustainable Solutions Ltd have formed a partnership to enhance plastic waste management and develop a local recycling value chain in Mauritius. This collaboration aligns with QBL's commitment to the circular economy and responsible waste management practices. A key objective is to create a closed-loop system for flexible plastics, specifically the shrink films used in beverage packaging. Inigo de Prado, Managing Director of Quality Beverages Ltd, stated that this partnership allows QBL to collect, track, and recycle used flexible plastics through EcoMoris, which are then reused to package their products. QBL plans to supply its plastic waste to EcoMoris for recycling and gradually integrate locally recycled materials into its secondary packaging operations. The goal is to reduce the company's reliance on imported plastic by up to 37% through this closed-loop system. Priya Rana, Chief Transformation Officer and Head of Sustainability at Quality Beverages Ltd, emphasized that this partnership supports QBL's sustainable development strategy and its ambition to contribute to a circular economy in Mauritius, where resources are valued and integrated into production cycles. Mauritius generates approximately 120,000 tons of plastic waste annually, much of which is currently landfilled. EcoMoris Sustainable Solutions Ltd, founded by Jay Lai Fat Fur and Sohaeb Pasha, was established to address this issue, developing industrial infrastructure for
Must ReadThe Mauritian Council of Ministers has noted the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation's plan to consult stakeholders on implementing a mechanism for verifying the identity of social media users. This initiative aims to address recurring online problems such as the spread of false information, identity theft, defamatory or hateful content, online scams, and the dissemination of illegal content like child pornography. Currently, most social media accounts can be created with just an email address or phone number, without systematic civil identity verification. The proposed mechanism could require users to prove their real identity using official documents, national ID card verification, certified phone numbers, or other digital authentication methods, theoretically making it easier to identify perpetrators of illegal or fraudulent posts. Supporters believe this reform would reduce fake profiles, disinformation campaigns, online scams, and cyberbullying, providing authorities with quicker means to trace those responsible for illegal content. However, the proposal raises concerns about privacy, personal data protection, and freedom of expression. Digital rights organizations argue that online anonymity can protect whistleblowers, victims, journalists, or citizens who wish to report situations without fear of reprisal. The government emphasizes that this is currently a consultation phase to gather stakeholder opinions before any potential reforms. Mauri