Belize Health Ministry confirms measles outbreak; Urges public to get vaccinated

Published by [email protected] at May 13, 2025

Posted: Tuesday, May 13, 2025. 6:15 am CST.

By Horace Palacio: The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) has issued a public health update confirming a measles outbreak in Belize, with two lab-confirmed cases and five additional clinically diagnosed cases, all linked to one of the initial patients.

The ministry has intensified surveillance in the Spanish Lookout area, where suspected cases are under investigation. The cases are believed to be linked to recent travel from Chihuahua, Mexico.

MOHW is urging individuals who are not vaccinated to avoid traveling to Spanish Lookout. Officials stress that while investigations are ongoing, the full scope of the outbreak is not yet known. The ministry has pledged to keep the public informed as new information becomes available.

To protect public health, MOHW is encouraging all eligible individuals to get vaccinated. Children should receive two doses as part of routine immunization at 12 and 18 months. Unvaccinated individuals over 18 months should get two doses a month apart. A booster dose is recommended for anyone who only received one dose, and those unsure of their vaccination status should get one dose as a precaution.

Travelers 12 months and older should be vaccinated at least two weeks before travel. Unvaccinated children under one year should consult a healthcare provider.

The public is advised to act swiftly after potential exposure by getting vaccinated within three days and contacting a healthcare provider. MOHW emphasized that while the MMR vaccine is safe and effective, it is not recommended for pregnant individuals, people with severe allergies to previous MMR doses, or those who are immunocompromised.

The ministry also outlined quarantine measures following exposure: no quarantine for vaccinated individuals, 21 days for unvaccinated individuals, and 14 days for those vaccinated after exposure.

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