Is Belize on the brink of an Influenza epidemic? That's what people are asking after 4 people died at the KHMH supposedly from respiratory distress -commonly associated with Pneumonia. Health professionals are investigating these cases and trying to establish a link with previous cases last year. We spoke to Health CEO Dr. Ramon Figueroa over the phone and he told us that there is no cause for concern. He told us it's just the flu season and that mostly young children and older persons are vulnerable to catching this virus. But still, the Ministry of Health is not taking these 4 deaths lightly. He explained what the situation is right now and what is being done to gather more information.
Dr. Ramon Figueroa, CEO - Ministry of Health
"One of the things that has drawn our attention has been a number of cases of apparent respiratory distress disorder syndrome. People dying from severe respiratory distress and that started last year. I think October/November last year we were called in by KHMH to look at some 3 cases that we had last year of young people who died from respiratory distress. They had probably diarrhea as one of the symptoms, but diarrhea was a symptom of the underlying caused. We did an investigation last year and there was nothing that we found in the case studies that would indicate that there was anything serious for the country. Unfortunately I believe we were not able to get samples last year to able to send abroad to test for. Because the concern for us really is to ensure that we don't have a severe case of influenza, like the H1N1. For this year, we have had 4 similar cases of pneumonia or respiratory distress. Again, that we've been also called in to sit down and sit with the infection committee of KHMH to look at if there is any particular reasons for concern in terms of epidemic threat for Belize or a serious case of influenza in the country. So those are the things that we are looking at. We are doing our field investigation for those cases."
So as you heard, health professionals are monitoring the situation closely but Figueroa said the public needs to take precautions by getting the flu vaccine and by covering their mouths when sneezing or coughing. But what does the Ministry have in place to treat these infections especially for those vulnerable groups who don't have a strong immune defense? Figueroa told us about the medication they have to treat this infection.
Dr. Ramon Figueroa, CEO - Ministry of Health
"Actually from last year when we had the initial 3 cases, we moved quickly in terms of ensuring that we have an adequate supply of the Tamiflu, which is one of the medications that one can use to curtail actually the severity or the length of the infection. So that's available in country and if any of our healthcare personnel has any particular suspicion of a case they can access that medication."
In terms of the 4 cases this month - an 8 year old has died along with a 43 year old. The KHMH says, "there are no positive confirmatory test results for these cases so far." They advise those with flu like symptoms to consult their nearest health centre.
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