Monitoring Hand Sanitizer Retail Prices

Ever since the inception of the Influenza A scare, hand sanitizers and other sanitary products around the country (and more than likely the world) have been flying off the shelves. At one point there weren’t any hand sanitizers at stores in San Pedro and they are hard to find these days. Rumors have it that some stores are hiking up the price of these highly needed products to cash in on its demand.

But the Belize Bureau of Standards has just release a press release stating that due to the recent national crisis surrounding the H1N1 virus, they are working to ensure that Belizean consumers are able to access the basic tools necessary to secure their safety.

The release states that on Thursday, April 30, 2009, the Belize Bureau of Standards, in a collaborative effort with NEMO and the Police Department visited merchants in Belize City, Belmopan City and San Ignacio to investigate complaints surround the increase of the price of hand sanitizers, dust masks, gloves and disinfecting agents.

The Bureau would like to thank the general public for their vigilance and asks for everybody’s continuous support by contacting their Consumer Protection Hotline at 0-800-2-TELL-US of 0-800-2-8355-87 to make any further complaints in relation to the above mentioned items. The Bureau assures Belizeans that it is working to improve and enhance the economy and quality of life for all Belizeans.

Poor Susana!

We understand Mrs. Susana's anger when she discovered that her beautiful plant was chopped down in front of El Fogon Restaurant by the BEL crew. But we also understand that the utility company had to clear some of the tree's vines that were getting too close to the power line. Maybe they did not have to cut down the tree by the trunk, they could have talked things over with Susana and come to an agreement. As we passed by El Fogon our attention was captured by the sign she posted in front of the restaurant expressing her discontent.

Dorian's Angels at Xtreme Geeks

Have you ever seen or heard Dorian’s Angels becoming or even looking like geeks? Perlita, Sofie and Scarleth once again headed out in turn for some learning skills at Xtreme Geeks with Edmond Chee and Nelson Cristobal. Computer servicing and electronic repairing is a bit of hard work but, yet, fun. They got our Geek On, in a good way! Read more HERE!

Perlita works on the micro chip...

...NO! Not that kind of chip

Testing... Testing... One... Two... Three...

Scarleth prepares for some soldering

Sofia tests for the voltage on the mother board

It's electrifying

The professionals - Nelson and Edmond

Sofie gets tangled with all the wiring

The workshop

Decides to do some cleaning

Belize Festival of Arts - Zone 5 Elimination

The Belize Festival of Arts Zone Eliminations were held at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium on Tuesday, May 5. Performances were given by primary schools students from San Pedro and Caye Caulker as well as by students of San Pedro High School.

San Pedro and Caye Caulker are considered Zone 5 and from the elimination held three performances out of sixteen advanced to compete at the Belize Festival of Arts which will be held at the end of the month at the Bliss Institute in Belize City.

The San Pedro R.C. School (Dance Performance) , The Isla Bonita Marching Band as well the San Pedro High School Band -Rock in Peace will be advancing to compete in Belize City. Kudos to all three Schools and we wish them the best!!!!

Caye Caulker R.C. School

Isla Bonita Elementary School Marching Band

Judges

SPHS Rock in Peace Band

Doctors Updated on Influenza A Status

Personnel from the Central Health Region and Ministry of Health held an Influenza A (H1N1) meeting at the Lions Den this afteroon, May 5, with the medical community of San Pedro to inform them of the most current situation. Infection control measures, surveillance, case management, among other topics were discussed at the meeting. Below is the latest press release from the Ministry of Health of Belize.



-Belmopan, May 5, 2009-

Activities

* The Corozal Freezone will be re-opened as of May 6, 2009 from 7am - 6pm with heightened surveillance.

* Casinos in the Corozal Freezone will remain closed until May 11, 2009. Bars and discothèques within the Casinos will be closed until May 11, 2009.

* Mass gatherings are being discouraged countrywide.

Public Awareness

A Press Conference was called by Ministry of Health on May 4, 2009 with the main objective of informing the public of the negative results reported by CAREC of the first 16 samples sent there for testing for Influenza A (H1N1) virus and to advise to maintain level of vigilance.

At 5:00 pm another meeting was called by Director of Health Services with the objective of sharing with key stakeholders the latest information of confirmed positive cases in neighbouring Quintana Roo Mexican State. Three (3) cases have been confirmed positive in the following localities: Carrillo Puerto (1), Calderitas (1) and Cancun (1); there are 39 suspected and 11 cases hospitalized in Quintana Roo. Present in the meeting were CEO Ministry of Education, representatives from NEMO, Customs, Immigraton, Regional Managers, and associates from Ministry of Health and KHMH.

It was agreed that all stakeholders will continue to watch the pattern of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus transmission in Mexico and the Mexican response to be in a better position for making informed decisions.

Intersectoral Coordination

Customs Department was requested to liaise with Chief Pharmacist regarding the importation of Tamiflu and other drugs used for flu management. On the topic of Immigration, the issue of Pre-boarding and Arrival Screening was tabled for continued support by Immigration Officers .

Surveillance

14 new samples were sent to CAREC on May 4, 2009 from the Belize, Orange Walk and Cayo Districts.

Surveillance activities for Influenza-like Illness continues throughout the country. There are no cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in CAREC member countries.

Eco Challenge Gallery Online!

The photo gallery for the Lagoon-Reef Eco-Challenge is now online on www.ambergristoday.com. Check out all the action of this year's race! Click picture above to view gallery.

Mother's Day Event Still has the Green Light

Despite the cancellations of most large gatherings around the country, including the Mr. Vegas show in San Pedro, the San Pedro Town Council has given the green light to the Mother's Day Extravaganza which will take place this Saturday, May 9, 2009. Click on the ad above for full details of the show.

Chetumal Confirms 1 Positive Case for H1N1 Flu

Mexican newspapers in the region of Quinta Roo have confirmed the appearance of the Influenza A (H1N1). Three cases have turned out positive one in each - Cancun, Carrillo Puerto and Chetumal. All three males with the infection have fully recovered from the flu. The patient in Chetumal was attended at the General Hospital of Chetumal a couple weeks back and has fully recovered from the infection and is back to normal. The diagnosis of his infection from the Influenza A came at a much later date due to all pending analysis taking place in that country.

Influenza A(H1N1) - update 13

(Press Release, World Health Organizations, May 4, 2009 -- As of 06:00 GMT) Twenty countries have officially reported 985 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection. Mexico has reported 590 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 25 deaths. The higher number of cases from Mexico reflects ongoing testing of previously collected specimens. The United States has reported 226 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (85), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Costa Rica (1), Colombia (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (2), Germany (8), Ireland (1), Israel (3), Italy (1), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (4), Republic of Korea (1), Spain (40), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (15).
There is no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.

Second Belize Batch Clear of Swine Flu Virus

- 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.

Time of release 12 noon, May 2, 2009. (ends)

Four Samples Test Negative of Swine Flu in BZE

Dr. Javier Zuniga, of the San Pedro Poly Clinic, has officially confirmed to Ambergris Today that the four samples of suspected Swine Flu infection came back NEGATIVE after being tested in Trinidad. The four samples were sent away for testing were from suspected swine flu cases that were two from Belize City, one from Orange Walk and one from San Pedro. The Ministry of Health is glad to report than none of the four samples tested positive. Up to now there are no recorded cases of Swine Flu in Belize. Residents are urged not to listen to rumors and only believe official reports that are released by the Ministry of Health or medical officials from San Pedro.