The Belize national plan of action for the prevention and control of non communicabled Diseases 2013-2023

The Belize National Plan of Actionfor the Prevention and Control of Non communicable Diseases (NCDs) 2013-2023(NCDs)aims to reduce the premature mortality caused by the four major NCDs (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and lung disease) by 25% by 2023. This will be achieved through policy and advocacy; health promotion and risk factor reduction of the four common risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity); improving disease management and patient self-management; and strengthening surveillance, monitoring.

A comprehensive needs assessment to identify priority program targets for mosquito vector control and related diseases in Belmopan, Belize

This was a mixed-methods study aimed to comprehensively assess factors associated with mosquito control in Belmopan, Belize, in order to better inform stakeholders on the effectiveness of their efforts. A knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) survey was employed within the four target communities of San Martin, Salvapan, Maya Mopan, and Las Flores. Additional epidemiological and entomological data was provided by relevant stakeholders. A total of 228 households were surveyed among the four target communities. Only 1/3 of respondents were able to demonstrate proficient knowledge. Knowledge was attained mostly through TV, Ministry of Health, hospital, and radio sources. Over 90% of respondents believed that mosquitos and the diseases they carry were a real issue for the community. Respondents living in Salvapan and Las Flores were more likely to have contracted Dengue Fever, Malaria, Chikungunya, or Zika than in other areas. Fan usage and regularly cleaning the yard were the two most employed practices for preventing mosquito bites and breeding. Approximately 85% of those surveyed viewed insecticide spraying to be effective. This assessment provides valuable insight into the needs of at- risk communities in regards to vector control. An increased focus on community outreach, education, and behavioral change can greatly impact the effectiveness of current vector control efforts. Stakeholders must work together and pool resources in order to effectively employ control interventions. Continued evaluation and community involvement is necessary to control mosquitos and prevent disease outbreaks...(AU)

Orange Walk zika classification by sex 2017

The document is a compilation of the weekly surveillance of the confirmed and suspected (clinical and test) cases of Zika in the Orange Walk district recorded by the EPI Unit of the Ministry of Health, Belize for 2017. This information is captured and reported according to sex.

A study to identify the presence of Aedes Spp. using BG-Sentinel® Traps and larval/pupal surveys in communities around Belmopan, Cayo District.

The knowledge of the presence of Aedes Spp. mosquitoes is very important for the prevention and control of emerging and remerging diseases caused by Arboviruses such as: Yellow fever, Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika. While Chikungunya and Dengue are endemic to Belize, Zika is currently a threat with local transmission having been established in several Caribbean and Central American Countries. The objective of the study is to survey the presence of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in the communities of San Martin, Salvapan and Las Flores, Belmopan City. The study was conducted from March 14 to April 2, 2016 whereby adult mosquitoes were captured using BG-Sentinel® Traps and larvae/pupae collection surveys were also done. Three hundred meter zone(s) were determined within localities and 1 BG-Sentinel® trap was deployed for 3 days at 24-hour intervals both indoors and outdoors at 2 residences randomly selected in each community. Larvae/Pupae collection surveys were done at 5 private premises within the predetermined zones in each of the three communities. Captured larvae and Pupae were reared for 6 days and adults obtained were used for identification. The identification of adult Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus was done using a stereoscopic microscope and pictorial keys that are used for the identification of mosquitoes. The presence of Ae. aegypti was identified in all 3 communities through both adult mosquito and larvae/pupae collections. However, Ae. albopictus was present only in San Martin and Salvapan communities. The presence of Ae. aegypti and/or Ae. albopictus will determine which appropriate vector control interventions are needed considering the different characteristic breeding habitats of these mosquitoes.(AU)

Survey of container breeding mosquito larvae (Dengue vector) in Salvapan and Las Flores

Dengue is one of the most important vector borne diseases, with millions of cases occurring yearly and with billions found in risk areas. Eliminating water-holding containers where mosquitoes oviposit and develop can help manage urban disease-vector mosquitos. Thus, a water holding container eradication campaign was implemented by the Ministry of Health of Belize to eliminate the outburst of a dengue epidemic in known risk areas. A study was conducted in two selected communities, Salvapan and Las Flores, to determine the preferred container breeding habitat of the dengue vector and which of the site is more susceptible to a dengue epidemic. A number of households per site were randomly selected and a survey was carried out to identify water-holding containers breeding mosquito larvae and to identify the dengue vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Mosquito larvae from different types of artificial and natural containers were collected and were identified using taxonomical keys. Aedes aegypti was the most abundant species in 74% of positive containers (water tanks, buckets, waste tire, etc). Culex spp. with 13%, Aedes albopictus with 12%, and Anopheles spp. with 0.48% in positive containers. The most abundant positive container was the bucket with 31% out of all positive containers. Twenty-six percent of the houses in Salvapan were positive compared to the thirty-seven percent in Las Flores. The study concluded that the dengue vector preferred breeding habitat was the bucket and that Las Flores is more prone to a dengue epidemic than Salvapan.(AU)

Belize zika classification by epidemiological week 2016

This report represents a compilation of 2016 statistics based on 52 weeks of epidemiologic surveillance of the Zika virus disease by the EPI Unit, Ministry of Health, Belize. Four tables with corresponding graphs provide a breakdown of the confirmed, suspected (clinical), and suspected (by test)) cases of zika according to epidemiological week, community within the Belize district, age group and sex. The incidence of Zika virus disease was presented for each of the 24 communities that comprise the Belize district as well as for one unknown location within that district. The grand total of Zika virus cases in Belize for 2016 was 349.

Dietary habits of juveniles of the Mayan cichlid, Cichlasoma urophthalmus, in mangrove ponds of an offshore islet in Belize, Central America

Foraging habitats of juveniles of the Mayan cichlid, Cichlasoma urophthalmus (Günther, 1862), were investigated in two mangrove ponds located in Twin Cays offshore islet in Belize: Sink Hole pond (SH) and Hidden Lake pond (HL). Sink Hole pond is a semiclosed body of water, whereas Hidden Lake pond is connected by a channel to adjacent seagrass beds that surround the islet. Gut contents of 21 juvenile C. urophthalmus (9.8-13.2 cm total length) were analyzed, and five prey taxa were identified. In both mangrove ponds, C. urophthalmus were opportunistic carnivores and consumed primarily crustaceans. Plant material and detritus present in gut contents were most likely ingested incidentally when the fish foraged on small invertebrates. Carbon isotopic values of fish specimens from the two ponds were similar (mean ± SD of -19.2 ± 0.4‰ in SH and -19.4 ± 0.4‰ in HL), and were close to those of mangrove prey (mean ± SD = -20.2 ± 1.5‰), suggesting that this fish species forages in this habitat. Mixing models showed a higher contribution of mangrove food sources to the fish diet than seagrass food sources. This study reveals that young Mayan cichlids, inhabiting two Belize mangrove ponds, are generalists and opportunistic carnivores that forage on mangrove food sources and do not appear to move to adjacent seagrass beds to complement their diets. Understanding trophic linkages between aquatic consumers and food resources may contribute to better management of threatened coastal ecosystems.

Habitats de alimentação de juvenis do ciclídeo-maia, Cichlasoma urophthalmus (Günther, 1862), foram investigados em duas lagoas de mangue localizadas nas ilhas Twin Cays em alto mar em Belize: Sink Hole Lake (SH) e Hidden Lake (HL). Sink Hole é um corpo d'água parcialmente isolado, enquanto Hidden Lake é ligada por um canal com bancos de sargaços que cercam a ilhota. O conteúdo estomacal de 21 juvenil de C. urophthalmus (9,8-13,2 cm de comprimento total) foram analisados e cinco táxons de presas foram identificados. Em ambas as lagoas de mangue, 'C.' urophthalmus foram carnívoros oportunistas e consumiram principalmente crustáceos. Material vegetal e detritos presentes no conteúdo digestivo foram provavelmente ingeridos acidentalmente quando o peixe se alimentava de pequenos invertebrados. Os valores de isótopos estáveis do carbono em espécimes de peixes das duas lagoas foram semelhantes (média ± SD -19,2 ± 0,4 ‰ em SH e -19,4 ± 0,4 ‰ em HL), e foram próximos aos de presas de mangue (mean ± SD = -20.2 ± 1.5 ‰), sugerindo que esta espécie de peixe vai à procura de alimentos neste habitat. Modelos mistos mostraram uma maior contribuição de fontes alimentares de mangue para a dieta dos peixes do que de fontes alimentares de algas marinhas. Este estudo revela que juvenis do ciclídeo-maia que habitam duas lagoas de mangue em Belize, são carnívoros generalistas e oportunistas que se ingerem alimentos dos manguezais e não parecem se mover para leitos de algas marinhas adjacentes para complementar suas dietas. Compreender as ligações tróficas entre consumidores aquáticos e recursos alimentares pode contribuir para uma melhor gestão dos ecossistemas costeiros ameaçados.

Dengue tests done by epi week & district 2011

This document is a compilation of the dengue tests done by and recorded by the EPI Unit of the Ministry of Health, Belize for 2011. This information has been captured, collated and reported according to district, sex and age group.

First record of Stegomyia albocpicta [Aedes albopictus] in Belize

The first confirmed record of Stegomyia albopicta (Skuse) [Aedes albopictus (Skuse)] for Belize was made at Benque Viejo del Carmen, District Del Cayo, from a mosquito landing on a human on 6 August 2009.

Assessment of the impact of climate change on Belize's health sector: Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

The main goal of this assessment is to determine the present and future occurrence of dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and to measure its impact on the health care system and population in terms of morbidity and mortality, also to measure the socio-economic impact of adaptation measures. The method used was determined after consultation with senior staff of the National Meteorological Service, the Statistical Institute of Belize, the Ministry of Health and the Vector Control Program, in order to assess existing modeling capability and the availability of data.

Evaluation of a hypertension screening programme in Independence, Belize / Evaluación de Programa de Pesquizaje de la Hipertensión en Independencia, Belice

This study assesses the effectiveness of a hypertension-screening programme in Independence, Belize. Forty-nine of the 101 patients screened were found to have elevated blood pressure readings and were advised to seek medical care. Four months later, interviews with 35 of the 49 patients from the hypertensive group revealed that 85.7 of the patients had sought medical care. Women, elderly patients and patients with a previous history of hypertension were more likely than men, younger patients and those without a history of hypertension to seek follow-up medical care. The screening programme successfully directed a high proportion of patients with elevated blood pressure to seek appropriate medical care

Este estudio evalúa la efectividad de un programa de pesquizaje de la hipertensión en Independencia, Belice. Se halló que 49 de 101pacientes sometidos al pesquizaje produjeron lecturas de alta presión sanguínea y tensión arterial, y se les aconsejó buscar atención médica. Cuatro meses después, entrevistas con 35 de los 49 pacientes del grupo hipertenso revelaron que el 85.7% de los pacientes habían buscado atención médica. Las mujeres, los pacientes mayores y los pacientes con una historia previa de hipertensión presentaban una probabilidad mayor a buscar atención médica de seguimiento, que los hombres, los pacientes más jóvenes y aquéllos sin una historia de hipertensión. El programa de pesquizaje tuvo éxito en hacer que una alta proporción de pacientes con presión sanguínea alta buscaran adecuada atención médica.

Survey for intestinal parasites in Belize, Central America.

A stool survey was carried out in 5 villages in the Toledo district of the Central American country of Belize. Eighty-two percent of a total population of 672 participated. The stools were examined by the formalin-ethyl-acetate concentration technique. Sixty-six percent of the population was found to have one or more intestinal parasites. The most common infection was hookworm (55%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (30%), Entamoeba coli (21%), Trichuris trichiura (19%), Giardia lamblia (12%), Iodamoeba beutschlii (9%), and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (6%). Other parasites found were Entamoeba hartmani, Strongyloides stercoralis, Endolimax nana, Isospora belli, and Chilomastix mesnili. Children were more often infected than adults and more females had hookworm infections. Sixty percent of 111 households surveyed had dirt floors, 43% were without toilets, 35% of the houses were overcrowded, and 10% obtained drinking water from streams. Cross-tabulation and logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk and protective factors associated with parasitoses. The risk factors were: being in the Mayan Ketchi population group, and abtaining housework and drinking water from streams. Protective factors were: drinking treated water and the wearing of shoes.

Dengue cases by district and sex Belize 1999-2003

The document is a compilation of the dengue cases between 1999-2003 recorded by the Ministry of Health, Belize. This information has been captured, collated and reported according to district, sex, and age group.

British Honduras annual medical report for the year ending 31st December, 1953

British Honduras annual medical report for the year ending 31st December, 1953 addresses the development and welfare schemes; housing issues; public health including communicable diseases; medical institutions; preventive measures; and hospital services. With regards to the Communicable Diseases statistics on Infectious and Parasitic Diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and dengue are presented under the Morbidity Report on Out-Patients in all the Hospitals of the Colony for 1953. Notes on the Malaria Problem in British Honduras is also included providing demographic information, vital statistics, malaria control methods, anophelism and malariometry.