Belize confirms measles case linked to Guatemala travel

Belize health authorities have confirmed a case of measles in a 19-year-old resident of the Toledo District who recently traveled to Guatemala, as officials step up vaccination and containment efforts amid a growing regional outbreak.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) said the individual was preliminarily diagnosed with measles on April 24, and that isolation and quarantine protocols are being enforced.

“All isolation and quarantine recommendations for the patient and known contacts are being followed,” the ministry said.

The ministry added that a ring vaccination campaign and community outreach efforts were immediately launched and remain ongoing.

Officials also warned of an increasing outbreak in neighbouring Guatemala, where 5,100 measles cases have been reported since December 2025.

The MOHW urged the public to get vaccinated, stressing that immunization remains the most effective protection against measles and its complications.

“Vaccination prevents measles and measles complications,” the ministry said.

Health officials outlined the country’s immunization schedule, noting that children should receive two doses of the measles vaccine at 12 and 18 months. Unvaccinated individuals over 18 months are advised to receive two doses one month apart, while those with only one dose should receive a booster. People uncertain of their vaccination status are also being advised to get vaccinated.

The alert comes as regional health authorities intensify concern over rising infections. The Pan American Health Organization recently urged countries to strengthen immunization coverage during Vaccination Week in the Americas, citing a resurgence of measles across the region.

According to PAHO, vaccination coverage in 2024 reached 89 percent for the first dose of the MMR vaccine and 79 percent for the second dose, while DPT coverage reached 87 percent. However, more than 1.4 million children across the region still did not receive a single vaccine dose.

The organization noted that the Americas first eliminated measles in 2016, but lost that status in 2018, regained it in 2024, and lost it again in 2025.

In 2025, 14,767 confirmed cases were reported across 13 countries—nearly 32 times higher than the previous year. As of April 5, 2026, more than 15,300 cases have already been reported, surpassing the total for all of 2025.

Health officials say the latest Belize case underscores the urgency of strengthening vaccination campaigns and surveillance systems across the region.

caribbeannationalweekly.com