H1N1 actual Belize Situation after WHO pandemic alert

The WHO declares today H1N1 swine flu pandemic.
(Geneva) The World Health Organization raised the swine flu alert Thursday to its highest level, saying H1N1 has spread to enough countries to be considered a global pandemic

As far as we know there is still non confirmed H1N1 "swine flu" case in Belize.

As of 10 June 2009, 24,826 confirmed cases of the new virus influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 144 deaths, have been notified in 26 countries of the Americas: Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Panama, Peru, United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela.


Source and updates available at: Pan American Health Organization PAHO.


Belizean Test Results
At all, over 25 samples where tested in the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) in Trinidad. Till know all the results are negative.


Situation in Chetumal and Mexico
News broke out last week that Quintana Roo Health Authorities reported an outbreak of H1N1 in Chetumal, and after making checks, Mexican newspapers El Diario de Yucatan and El Universal report 11 schools in Chetumal reported suspected cases of Influenza A (H1N1) and that five schools have suspended classes until June 15, 2009. The mexican Press and some medical News Resources, reported till know over 50 cases of H1N1 in the Border Town Chetumal.

Mexico has reported to WHO 5717 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 106 deaths.

Central America and the Caribbean
The following countries have reported to WHO laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths: Cayman (2), Cuba (5), El Salvador (69) , Guatemala (60), Honduras (89), Jamaica (7), Nicaruagua (29), Panama (221), Trinidad and Tobago (2) and Costa Rica 93 including 1 death.

Use the Interactive Map from PAHO, to get the latest geographical development.


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.


We are monitoring the swine flu situation closely on this blog and will blog news as soon as they arrive. We hope we will only have good news for Belize.