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Dengue haemorrhagic fever in Belize
Monday, 27 July, 2009
Belizean health authorities have confirmed an outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever in western Belize.
The outbreak was confirmed in the Cayo district, which is 70 miles from Belize City, on the western border with Guatemala. The neighboring town of Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala is considered a hotspot for the disease.
Of the 114 confirmed dengue cases, the Ministry of Health says that 17 cases were clinically diagnosed as Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, the majority of which came from the Cayo District.
Haemorrhagic fever is a serious complication of dengue infection and overall is estimated to occur in about 3% of cases so a 15% incidence is unusually high. This emphasises the need for personal protection against mosquito bites in the form of insect repellants and the use of permethrin-impregnated outer clothing when travelling anywhere in the Central American/Caribbean area.
