268 New HIV Cases in Six Months Spark Crisis Concern in Mauritius

Mauritius has recorded a worrying surge of 268 new HIV cases in the first six months of 2025 (January to June), bringing the total number of registered cases in the country to 10,030, according to figures released by the Ministry of Health.

The rapid escalation has prompted concern from the organisation Prévention, Information et Lutte contre le SIDA (PILS), which warns the situation must be addressed as the virus is now circulating in the general population, primarily through heterosexual relationships and the use of injectable drugs.

The upward trend confirms that HIV transmission is no longer confined to traditionally vulnerable groups in Mauritius.

Fastest Rise in Years

The current rate of increase suggests the virus continues to accelerate, with the 268 cases in the first half of 2025 pointing towards a total exceeding the 549 cases registered in the entirety of 2024.

This marks a significant escalation, as the number of new annual cases in preceding years had remained below 380. The last time the country surpassed 500 annual cases was in 2009.

Those aged 25 to 44 years remain the most exposed demographic.

Dual Transmission Challenge

The complexity of the national response is compounded by Mauritius being one of the rare countries to present two primary modes of transmission:

• 49.3% of 2025 cases are linked to heterosexual contact.
• 41% are among drug users sharing injection equipment.

Further breakdown of the new cases shows:

• 9.7% among heterosexuals who also inject drugs.
• 1.5% among homosexual and bisexual individuals.
• 0.4% among transgender persons.
• 4.9% remain undetermined.

Alarmingly, two babies were infected by their mothers during pregnancy or birth, despite measures in place at public health centres to prevent mother-to-child infection.

PILS has identified a clear correlation: while young adults are increasingly sexually active, they are simultaneously taking fewer precautions against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The organisation states this calls for a collective assumption of responsibility.

PILS Leads Awareness Drive

In response, PILS teams are actively mobilising on the ground to raise community awareness of HIV and sexual health. Recent outreach efforts have targeted university students, several neighbourhoods, and various events in locations including Alma, Réduit, Moka, Richelieu, Rivière-Noire, and Bagatelle.

Working with partners and the private sector, PILS is striving to make information universally accessible. Their personnel are distributing free protective materials, including condoms, and conducting evening sessions to work with specific targeted communities, massage parlours, and other venues.

PILS also operates its sexual health centre, Centre Banian, on Rue St Georges, Port Louis, offering daily screening and treatment for anyone seeking assistance.

These campaigns will be supplemented by an intensified national communication effort throughout November, which has been declared Sexmonth, featuring multiple awareness activities.

Source: l’Express