A suspected Swine Flu outbreak had closed down Caye Caulker Island, a popular tourism destination in Belize a few miles away from Ambergris Caye. Two high schools on Caye Caulker made the decision to voluntarily close down as a precautionary measure. Over one hundred students were ill with flu-like symptoms and many teachers and citizens are also reported ill. But those have all been re-opened and DHS Michael Pitts told Channel 7 News of Belize City that the results of three of those Caye Caulker tests are back from CAREC; one was positive for H1N1 and two others are another kind of flu. Seven results are still pending.
But the flu is spreading like wildfire around the country and many are taking precautions to stay safe and healthy. Although there have not been any other reports of the H1N1 cases other than one in Caye Caulker, schools around the country are taking precautions and sending sick students home to recover.
Here in San Pedro, the Health Inspector is visiting schools to monitor the situation, but no cases of the H1N1 Influenza A have been confirmed, contrary to a rumor circulating around town that a private doctor was confirming a case. Residents are asked to take precaution and follow sanitary procedures in order to prevent the spread of the flu and to contact their doctor as soon as anyone starts experiencing flu-like symptoms. Read more on tomorrow’s edition of Ambergris Today Newspaper.
Belmopan, September 17, 2009 - The Ministry of Health has detected a major outbreak of a flu-like illness in Caye Caulker. The public is hereby reminded that in order to prevent the spread of influenza including the H1N1, people suffering with flu like symptoms should remain at home for the duration of their illness. If you present with symptoms you are advised to visit your nearest health care provider. Please wash hands frequently and cover mouth when coughing and sneezing. The most common symptoms include: fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose. - A message from the Ministry of Health
Suspected Swine Flu Outbreak Closes Down Belize Tourism Island
A suspected Swine Flu outbreak has closed down Caye Caulker Island, a popular tourism destination in Belize a few miles away from Ambergris Caye. The island with a population of 2,500 reported dozens of flu-like symptoms in pre-schools and primary schools this week. These institutions were closed down on the advice of the Belize Ministry of Health.
Now today two high schools on Caye Caulker have taken the decision to voluntarily close down as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile the Belize Ministry of Health has recommended that all mass gatherings be suspended. As a result, all public events leading up to and including Independence Day on September21, have been canceled.
Over one hundred students are ill with flu-like symptoms and many teachers and citizens are also reported ill. The Belize Director of Health Services Dr, Michael Pitts stated today that:
"What we have done beyond the school is to ask the village council if they can suspend the major family gathering that would bring kids together with the wider population.
"In Caye Caulker we have a standing population of twenty-five hundred and there's only one major primary school and it is our view that the primary school basically is a reflection of the village and just about every household there would have some kids who would have been exposed. So what we are saying to Caye Caulker is let's try and interrupt this epidemic and for the next couple of days suspend major gatherings that would bring family units together."
Meanwhile the village council authorities are trying to do some damage control to minimize losses from the tourismbusiness which is the main money earner for Caye Caulker:
Ralph Humes, Caye Caulker Chairman
"We will need to postpone or cancel some of our September celebration activities. So far we had already canceled out the children's rally that should have taken place on the 18th of this month and a variety of other sporting events.
"Our ceremonies and road march and carnival parade will be discussed at a meeting tonight with the celebration committee and then we will decide which will be postponed and which will be canceled. The Ministry has encouraged us to disregard whatever mass gatherings that we would be having because they don't want the outbreak of this flu to spread in the whole community."
Ralph Humes,
"It will definitely have a big effect on tourism. Since this morning we had some concerns from some of the restaurant owners and even the hotel owners asking us if we were going to close down the island."
Late reports say a number of Belize City High Schools on the mainland are reporting H1N1 cases. - By The Founder on September 17, 2009 5:35 AM
Press Release – Ministry of Health, Belmopan, July 14, 2009 - The Ministry of Health informs the general public that as of July 14, 2009, Belize has fifteen (15) confirmed cases of Influenza A H1N1. As of today, the Ministry awaits the result of twenty two (22) outstanding samples sent to the Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC). All fifteen positive cases came from the Corozal District and are linked to the Corozal Free Zone. These cases have presented with mild flu-like symptoms and have recovered. The Ministry of Health continues with its enhanced surveillance and health education countrywide.
The general public is reminded to continue taking the necessary precautions which include the following: *Wash hands frequently and use disposable tissue when possible to cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. *Public places must ensure that door knobs, bathroom counters and other similar surfaces be cleaned on a regular basis with disinfectant. *Upon presentation of any flu-like sign or symptom the public is advised to visit the nearest health center or your health care provider. *The Ministry would also like to inform the public that there is no need at this time to limit any mass gatherings or travel plans.
Last week Quintana Roo Health Authorities reported an outbreak of H1N1 in Chetumal that affected 11 schools. A total of 24 cases were reported in this latest outbreak. One school had to be closed down. The Ministry of Health reminds the public that precautionary measures must continue and that persons with flu like signs and symptoms must abstain from attending public gatherings. The Ministry of Health continues with its enhanced surveillance and health education. Personal hygiene reminder The Ministry of Health reminds the general public to continue with the enhanced general hygiene personal precautions for the prevention and control of the H1N1 Virus. To date, there is still no confirmed case of H1N1 Virus in Belize. Each and every person is being asked to continue taking the necessary personal precautions which include the following:
*If anyone presents with flu-like signs and symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat), stay at home. *If at any public gathering a person presents with these signs and symptoms he/she must be requested to leave the gathering. *Public places must ensure that door knobs, bathroom counters and other similar surfaces be cleaned on a regular basis with disinfectant. – Press Release, Belmopan - 05 June, 2009-
- Press Release, Ministry of Health,Belize City, May 2, 2009 - The Ministry of Health has maintained its high level of alert and enhanced surveillance countrywide. Today, senior technical and administrative staff of all four health regions met in Belize City to discuss challenges being faced and agreed on approaches to strengthen the surveillance activities. The Director of Health Services updated the group on the global and national status. Other topics discussed included: Infection Control Measures, Specimen Collection Protocols, Case Management, and Method of Reporting of Results.
As previously reported, all eight samples of the first batch sent to CAREC were negative for H1N1. Preliminary report received today from CAREC on the second batch of eight samples, indicate that they are negative for H1N1. This does not mean we decrease our level of response.
Since Friday, May 1, two suspected cases were identified; one from Orange Walk and the other from the Cayo District. Samples will be sent to CAREC today as per protocol.
We advise that before results are released to the public, every effort will be made to contact patients, families and care providers in accordance with reporting requirements of the Ministry.
The public is advised to continue taking the preventive measures and to know that the Ministry of Health will continue to provide updates regarding the status of the H1N1 epidemic.
The San Pedro Town Council held a closed meeting with doctors, principals and teachers this afternoon to discuss the current situation with the Swine Flu virus. School officials were updated with the situation and were educated on how to handle and relay the information to their staff and student body. One thing that was not canceled was the high school entrance exam PSE (Primary School Examination) which is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 4, 2009.
The San Pedro Town Council will also hold a meeting this evening at 5p.m. at the Lions Den to address members of the San Pedro Business Association. Small closed meeting are being held with different officials and groups so as to minimize contact with large groups of people as a precaution of the swine flu pandemic. You can tune in to the Reef Radio to listen in on the meeting tonight.
