Authorities on lookout for dengue
Reporting on communicable diseases in a country that depends on tourism for a significant part of its income is not something taken lightly, but health officials are closely monitoring events around us and are preparing to take action should the threat of dengue fever cross our borders. Jacqueline Woods reports.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Despite an epidemic of dengue fever affecting neighbouring countries, the Ministry of Health says we remain free so far of an outbreak. However, Director of Health Services, Dr. Errol Vanzie says we should not let our guard down.
Dr. Errol Vanzie, Director of Health Services
“The fact that there are outbreaks or epidemics in Honduras, Guatemala, Salvador and people are constantly travelling from these countries to Belize, and at the same time due to the unusual rainy season that we have had, it has created the conditions in Belize for the mosquito population to increase and thus putting the entire country at risk of an outbreak.”
Since 1993, confirmed cases of Dengue have varied, reaching a high of twenty-three in 1997. So far, this year, eleven cases have been confirmed.
Dr. Errol Vanzie
“A week ago, we received a report from CAREC about five cases. We are decoding those cases so that we can know the distribution in the country. We know so far that four cases have occurred in San Pedro and two cases in Belize City.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Danisha how bad is it back here?”
Danisha Grant, Resident, Belize City
“Sometime when night come, lot of flies come, sake of the flies and thing. Fly deh back yah like dirt.”
Jacqueline Woods
“So what do you do?”
Danisha Grant
“Light fish (mosquito coil), light smoke (burning dry leaves).”
Jacqueline Woods
“Are you guys concerned about dengue?”
Danisha Grant
“Yes.”
Jacqueline Woods
“To prevent an outbreak in the country the Ministry of Health has taken immediate steps to eradicate the mosquito breeding sites and educate the public about what they can do to protect their health.”
Dr. Errol Vanzie
“Right now we are doing health education, trying to inform the public about the urgency of the situation and encourage them to participate in the clean up.”
Health officials advise residents to keep their yards clean of debris. To keep neighbourhoods free of mosquitoes, the ministry has also been spraying insecticide in Belize City and the districts where dengue cases have been reported. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
In July, a team of Belizean and Mexican health professionals met in Chetumal to come up with a plan of action to combat the disease in border areas. According to Dr. Vanzie that plan has not yet been put into effect.
