Dengue is endemic in Belize. In 2010 there was an increase in the number of Dengue cases in urban and rural areas and a few cases in San Pedro Town, with 690 cases reported countrywide. For 2011, 17 cases have been reported so far. Since the beginning of 2011 measures have been heightened in the prevention and control of dengue. With the advent of the rainy season the Ministry of Health, Central Health Region, today conducted a one-day training in the management of Dengue for public and private Medical Officers, Laboratory Technicians, Nurses and Public Health Inspectors from Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Training also included Vector Prevention and Control geared toward officers from the San Pedro Town Council and the Caye Caulker Village Council.

The objectives of the training are: (1) To create increased awareness, impart knowledge, and heighten the awareness of prevention and control of vector borne diseases in the Central Health Region.

(2) To provide medical personnel with the necessary tools (clinical guidelines and protocol) in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Dengue in the population.

These activities will be repeated on June 17th and 24th in Belize City. Public and private health personnel will also be included in these trainings.

The general public is reminded that with the start of the rainy season, all efforts must be made to remove all non-essential containers from their premises to avoid the creation of breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

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For further details please contact:
Ms. Melanie Quigley
Ministry of Health, Belmopan,
e-mail: [email protected]