Belize issues dengue alert following Central America outbreak
From Caribbean360
The Ministry of Health said it was urging the public to seek medical attention if they experience a high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain or a rash.
BELMOPAN, Belize, Friday August 2, 2013 – Belize has issued a dengue alert after a outbreaks of the virus in neighbouring countries like Costa Rica, Nicaraqua, El Salvador and Honduras.
The Ministry of Health said that a state of emergency had been declared in Honduras where 16 people had died from the virulent fever. It said that at least 40,000 people had been infected in Central America with 26 deaths reported.
Chief Executive Officer of the Vector Control Unit, Kim Bautista said that while the virus has not hit Belize as yet, “it’s a very active season throughout the region.
“ Every two or three years we tend to see outbreaks, but right now, within the region, you have alerts coming out of El Salvador, and Honduras where sizeable parts of these countries have been put on high alert.”
The Ministry of Health said it was urging the public to seek medical attention if they experience a high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain or a rash.
The authorities said they would be spraying areas in order to eradicate the mosquitoes responsible for spreading the virus. (CMC)
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