Swine Flu Situation: Events and Hotl Line

Post bone of public events and swine flue hot line

With the underlying principle of preventing any potential transmission of Swine Flu in the country of Belize, the Ministry of Health through the Director of Health Services, in accordance with Section 83 of the Public Health Act, has issued a directive to postpone all major public gatherings until further notice.

The following events are postponed:

* The Annual General Meeting of the Holy Redeemer Credit Union Belize City
* Morgan Heritage Musical Concert, Belize City
* The University of Belize Fund raising Event – Spring Fling 2009, Belmopan
* National Agriculture and Trade Show, Belmopan
* Cashew Fest, Crooked Tree
* Hermanos Ponce Circus, Belize City

Hot Line
The Ministry of Health has established a Hot Line for the public from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm. the number is 629-5604 and will be handled by Nurse Augustina Eligio, stationed at MOH HQ.

WHO raises swine flu alert to level 5 of 6

. . . News Flash . . . News Flash . . . News Flash . . . News Flash . .

2:15 pm Belize 29. April 2009 Breaking News:



The WHO just raised the level
from 4 to 5 of 6. There was WHO
pandemic meeting in the WHO
Center in Geneva Switzerland.



World Health Organization raises the pandemic alert for swine flu H1N1
to level five indicating it fears a pandemic is imminent.

There are 132 confirmed cases in 11 countries, the majority in the United States, according to the WHO and the Centers for Disease Control. Those figures include seven deaths in Mexico and one in the United States.

As far as we know there is still non confirmed swine flu case in Belize.

4 suspected swine flu cases in Belize

. . . News Flash . . . News Flash . . . News Flash . . . News Flash . . .

29. April 2009 On the TV-Show “San Pedro Today” Dr. Javier Zuniga and Dr. Otto Rodriquez mentioned that there are 4 suspected cases in Belize:

• two suspected case in Belize City

• one suspected case in Orange Walk

• one suspected case in San Pedro.

The samples are underway with DHL to the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) in Trinidad. Results are expected after Lunchtime tomorrow.

We are monitoring the swine flu situation closely on this blog and will blog news as soon as they arrive.

Current Swine Flue Situation in Central America and Belize

WHO raises swine flu alert to level 4 of 6

The WHO raised its pandemic alert level to phase 4 over the deadly swine flu virus, indicating a significant increased risk of a pandemic, a global outbreak of a serious disease.

Important if you stay or travel to Belize: Inform you self, stay calm and be prepared

Mexican officials are asking citizens to avoid large crowds, refrain from kissing and shaking hands and maintain a distance of at least six feet from each other amid growing concern over new cases of suspected and confirmed swine flu infection. Mexicans are thronging to local hospitals and temporary emergency clinics for treatment and testing. Mexico City municipal police have been spotted bearing automatic weapons in the country’s capital as emotions begin to rise in the body public. Many citizens have taken to wearing surgical masks in order to avoid contagion.

With several Buses, Cars and Planes traveling every day from Mexico City to Chetumal and Cancun we have to be very careful because this are transfer destinations for many Belize Visitors and just a few miles next to our Border.

“Belizeans going to Mexico? What we are highly recommending is that you go unless it is a case of emergency.” ( Dr. Paul Edwards, Epidemiologist, 27.April 2009 on www.7newsbelize.com )

Treatment

The US CDC says that two flu drugs, Relenza and Tamiflu seem effective against the swine flu. Both drugs must be taken early, within a few days of the onset of symptoms, to be most effective.

Current Swine Flu Situation in Central America

The neighboring countries of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize are taking preventative measures. Guatemala has set up a clinic at its Guatemala City La Aurora International Airport (GUA) to treat symptoms. Nearby Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica have also taken measures, while Nicaragua has halted the importing of food products made from pork. Eating pork has yet to be linked to contracting swine flu.

Current Swine flu Situation in Guatemala: Spanish news agency EFE claims there have been no reported cases of swine flu in Guatemala, but the nation has ordered tighter "epidemiological" control of its northern border with Mexico.

Swine flu Situation in Belize: There have been no documented cases of swine flu in Belize, and the Belize Agricultural Health Authority has not yet issued any official notice.

Our Tips to Stay Healthy

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Buy a stock of 10 dispensable masks at your pharmacy, to stock them at your home.
  The prince Range from 25 cents each to 3 Belize Dollars each.
• Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, we recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Masks from Belizean Pharmacy's:


25 cent Belize Mask

Belize Dollar 2.25 Mask

We are monitoring the swine flu situation closely on this blog and will blog news as soon as they arrive.

Last Update 28. April 8:45 am

CD of the Month: The Garifuna Women's Project

The Garifuna Women's Project

The Garifuna Women's Project groundbreaking album that invites the listener behind closed doors into a fascinating musical world that has remained largely unexposed until now. The project was produced by Ivan Duran, the mastermind behind Andy Palacio & The Garifuna Collective's album Watina, one of the most critically acclaimed albums of any genre in 2007.

The CD is available at the Belize Music Store

New Belize Water Taxi Guide

Guide to Belize launched today the new Online Water Taxi and Ferry Guide.

The Belize Water Taxi Guide to ride in class and comfort. We have for each water taxi and ferry, the timetable, the contact address and some photos. The following destinations have a water Taxi connection: Belize City,, Corozal, Sartenja, San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel, Belize City, Dangriga, Punta Gorda, Independence, Placencia, Big Creek, Hounduras, Guatamla, Livingston, Puerto Cortes, Puerto Barrios and Mango Creek, Plan your trip, buy your ticket or make your reservation, we have all the information at your fingertips.

Further reading:

http://www.guidetobelize.info/en/travel/belize-water-taxi-timetable-guide.shtml

Swine flue situation in Belize

No swine flue in Belize
We are happy no announce that there have been no documented cases of swine flu in Belize, and the Belize Agricultural Health Authority has not yet issued any official notice.