Test Results Positive for Dengue, Still No Chik-V Cases in Belize
Marvin Manzanero
Despite the presence of the epidemic in neighboring Central American countries as well as in the Caribbean, there are still no reported cases of CHIK-V in Belize. That’s the report coming out the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health today. Several samples were taken from the Las Flores Community in Belmopan for testing last week and two of the results came back positive for dengue and not Chikungunya. Today, Interim Head of the Epidemiology Unit, Doctor Marvin Manzanero confirmed that they are awaiting the results of one of the samples that was sent out for testing for CHIKV. That aside, the prevalence of dengue in the Las Flores area and in south side Belize City has triggered the revamping of vector control procedures.
Via Phone: Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Interim Head of Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of Health
“I don’t think there is a higher number, but there is an area that is of interest around Las Flores that has caused us to have to do a revamp of activities we are doing there. But I don’t have the total numbers because I haven’t been able to sit down in front of my computer and go through all those details.”
Duane Moody
“So what can you tell us of either of the cases?”
Via Phone: Dr. Marvin Manzanero
“The two tests that I think were a concern last week when your fellow correspondent was here on Tuesday, those had turned out to be dengue so those tests did not get any further screening for Chikungunya. So what we seem to have is an outbreak of dengue in those areas.”
Duane Moody
“…And the other samples that were sent out? What of those?”
Via Phone: Dr. Marvin Manzanero
“There is only one sample that has been sent out and that was the first index patient that we had. I was just before you called me on the phone with people from Central Medical Lab because we are trying to follow up why haven’t they sent us a report, or at least, I haven’t seen a report so I called Central Medical Lab because we have a focal point there that is following it up. He needs to call me back, but I haven’t seen any report as yet.”
Duane Moody
“I know that we’ve seen a lot of spraying happening in Belize City; south side Belize City to be exact.”
Via Phone: Dr. Marvin Manzanero
“Yeah, well this is normally when we expect it to spike up until the end of this week and then after that, following the patterns that happen for every year, we expect it to start to decrease in the month of November and December.”
