"It's just a matter of when" - that's what public health officials said today about the likelihood of measles reaching Belize. Now, there hasn't been a case of measles in Belize since 1991 - but one case appeared in Guatemala this month, and there's also one in Antigua and Barbuda.
But, both these cases were imported - meaning they came over from Europe.
And that's why health experts are saying it's only a matter of time that measles reappears in Belize. And that's because Belize gets so many tourists. This morning, at a briefing session for the media, Dr. Natalia Largaespada and Dr. Cecilio Eck stressed it is not a panicking situation - but awareness is very necessary:...
Dr. Natalia Beer, Tech. Advisor - Maternal and Child Health
"We believe that an informed population will be more protected than an uninformed population so the risk is there because of the tourism season that we are in currently. The cases that have been documented in the Americas are all linked with impartation. The case in Guatemala was an impartation and the case in Antigua was an impartation also from Germany and the UK."
Jules Vasquez - Reporter
"Who is the-at risk group and how should they act?"
Dr. Cecilio Eck, Pediatrician
"Well the at-risk group would be any baby less than five; those are the ones that get the most complications from it. The people who are most at risk of getting or transmitting the disease though, and hence the invitation of the media, is to make sure that all the population is vaccinated especially the upfront personnel such as the immigration officers, the police officers, health care workers of course. The Ministry of Health is revamping the program to vaccinate this at-risk population."
Reporter
"What are the signs and symptoms people should look for?"
Dr. Cecilio Eck, Pediatrician
"The most common ones and these are reportable illnesses, are if there are fever and a rash. If any doctor, nurse, or you guys now, recognize anyone with a fever and a rash please send them to a doctor. The doctor will recognize, report it to the relevant health authorities. It does not necessarily mean that they have to be rushed to the hospital but these guys need to report to public health and public health will do the requisite investigation at home."
Dr. Natalia Beer, Tech. Advisor - Maternal and Child Health
"One positive case diagnosed at the laboratory would be an outbreak for Belize and it would imply multiple interventions at the community level that will need a lot of resources because we would need to go around that one single case in a radius of almost 3 miles to ensure that everyone there is updated with their vaccine. So, fever and rash are not only measles, so what we look for also with that same sample is measles, rubella, dengue, Chikungunya, and zika. The most important thing is that if you have kids below ten years please make sure that they have their vaccine up to date. And if you see fever and rash then don't think it twice report it by phone and someone will look for the person and do the investigation."
Presently, the Ministry of Health has sent 12 samples to Mexico for testing. Dr. Largaespada says none of them are highly suspicious.
Those who have gotten the MMR shots have lifetime protection. Two shots are given to newborns: one at birth, and another at 18 months.
The Ministry of Health's vaccine campaign will now target those known as frontline defenders - meaning the service personnel and customs and immigration staff who are the first point of contact with tourists.
About 50% of Belize's population is inoculated.
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