Dengue Cases Surge in Belize: Ministry of Health Reports 865 Cases

The recent uptick in rainfall has created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes aegypti species known to transmit dengue. In recent days, citizens country-wide have been swatting and spraying bug repellant more than usual. Stagnant water in containers has increased the mosquito population and dengue cases in the past six months.  So far, the country has recorded 865 cases of dengue, 383 of which are laboratory-confirmed and 482 are clinically confirmed. This evening, the Ministry of Health’s Vector Control’s Chief of Operations, Kim Bautista, provided the latest figures, which he says usually spike every three years.

Kim Bautista, Chief Of Operations, Vector Control Unit: “The Toledo district, majority of their cases are from Punta Gorda town and of course Bella Vista which geographically is right on the boundary between the Stann Creek and Toledo districts but it is administrated by our Stann Creek staff but for reporting purposes it is still classified under the data going from the Toledo district. So the Toledo district accounts for 26% of our cases or 224 as of this past week. They account for the highest incidence of cases in country at this time. The Orange Walk district has 197 cases total for the year. If you compare up to week 27 of last year versus week 27 of this year, there’s only a 5% increase. So at week 27 last year total you were looking at 823 and this year you’re looking at 863. So there’s a 5% increase. However at  EPI week 18 which is at the end of April, since the end of April we have been below that threshold and we have been below the trend from last year. So you will see that reflected in one of the graphics that I share with you all whereby from the end of April up to last week we have been below the trend from last year.”

According to the Ministry of Health, reported cases of dengue fever have traditionally seen a steady increase at the beginning of the rainy season. Bautista explained that rains affect the ministry’s ability to spray its pesticides, which he noted is done in moderation.

Kim Bautista, Chief Of Operations, Vector Control Unit: “I would say health factor that you need to look at in terms of the application of pesticides. So in terms of ensuring that the public is protected we need to ensure that equipment is calibrated and pesticide is being applied at the recommended dosage. So that is first and foremost. And these are things that we do on a routine basis.”

Symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, and in severe cases, hemorrhagic fever that can be fatal.