Belize Bound: Navigating The Essential Vaccine Injections

If you're planning a trip to Belize, it's important to be aware of the recommended vaccinations and health risks specific to the country. While there are no mandatory vaccinations required for entry, there are several immunisations that are advised to protect your health. These include DTP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis), MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella), and Hepatitis A, which is recommended for all travellers to Belize.

In addition, depending on your personal situation, you may want to consider vaccinations for Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Rabies, and TB. It is also worth noting that there is an increased risk of measles in Belize, so ensuring your MMR vaccination is up to date is crucial.

Beyond vaccinations, it is important to take precautions against mosquito-borne illnesses such as Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue Fever. Protecting yourself against mosquito bites is essential, as is taking measures to ensure food and water safety.

Consulting a healthcare professional or travel clinic is highly recommended to determine which vaccinations are most suitable for your specific needs and situation.

Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis A

The CDC recommends that all children between the ages of 12 months and 23 months get this vaccine, as well as infants aged 6 to 11 months who are travelling internationally. The following groups are also at risk and should be vaccinated:

• Children and teens aged 2-18 years who have not been previously vaccinated
• Men who have sexual contact with other men
• Anyone who uses illegal drugs
• People with chronic liver disease
• Anyone treated with blood-clotting drugs, such as people with haemophilia
• People who work with HAV-infected primates or are involved in research handling the hepatitis A virus
• People who are homeless or living in temporary housing
• People adopting or close to a child adopted from a country where hepatitis A is common
• People with recent exposure to hepatitis A (vaccination should be sought within 2 weeks of exposure)
• Travellers to countries where hepatitis A is common

If you need the vaccine due to upcoming travel, get it at least a month before you go. For complete protection, two doses are required, given as shots 6 months apart.

Hepatitis B

The CDC recommends that all infants get their first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. It is also recommended for:

• People 59 years of age or younger who haven't been vaccinated
• Anyone who has a sex partner with hepatitis B
• People who are sexually active but are not in a long-term, monogamous relationship
• Anyone being evaluated or treated for an STD
• Men who have sex with men
• People who share needles used to inject drugs
• Anyone who lives with someone who has hepatitis B
• Anyone whose job routinely puts them at risk of coming into contact with blood or blood-contaminated body fluids
• People with end-stage kidney disease
• People who live and/or work in facilities for people with developmental disabilities
• Travellers to regions with moderate to high rates of hepatitis B
• People with chronic liver disease
• People with HIV infections
• People with hepatitis C infection
• People with diabetes
• People who are or were recently in prison

For long-lasting immunity, you need two, three, or four doses, depending on the type of vaccine used. Children should get their first dose at birth and complete the series by age 6 months.

Combination Vaccine

There is also a combination vaccine that guards against hepatitis A and B.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

The MMR vaccine is crucial as it can prevent measles, mumps, and rubella. Measles causes fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that covers the whole body. It can lead to seizures, ear infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia, and in rare cases, brain damage or death. Mumps cause fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears. It can lead to deafness, swelling of the brain and/or spinal cord, painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and rarely, death. Rubella causes fever, sore throat, rash, headache, and eye irritation. It can cause arthritis in up to half of teenage and adult women. If a pregnant person gets rubella, it could result in a miscarriage or serious birth defects for the baby.

Most people who receive the MMR vaccine will be protected for life. Vaccines and high rates of vaccination have made these diseases much less common in the United States. However, cases of measles are on the rise worldwide, and travelers are at risk if they are not fully vaccinated. Therefore, it is essential to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure you are up to date with your MMR vaccination before traveling to Belize.

Malaria and dengue fever

Belize is a country in Central America with a tropical climate and a population of around 419,000. The country has a high risk of mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria and dengue fever.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and sometimes deadly disease caused by a parasite transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Belize has been certified as malaria-free as of 2023. This certification was granted after Belize successfully interrupted the chain of indigenous malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes for at least three consecutive years.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever, on the other hand, is still a risk in Belize. Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus in the flavivirus family. It is a significant global health threat, with approximately three billion people worldwide at high risk of infection, especially in low- to middle-income countries. The dengue virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which are naturally occurring in Belize.

The first case of dengue fever in Belize was reported in 2004. Since then, there have been ongoing transmissions of the virus in the country. In 2020, a surveillance program identified 44 patients with acute dengue virus infections out of 894 patients enrolled in the program, representing a 5% infection rate among care-seeking febrile patients. All four dengue virus serotypes were detected, with the majority of cases (66%) diagnosed in the Belize District, which contains the country's largest urban centre, Belize City.

The symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, severe joint, bone and muscular pain, nausea, vomiting, rash, arthralgia, retroorbital pain, muscle pain, chest pain, leukopenia, abdominal/stomach pain, and fatigue. There is no vaccine for dengue fever, so prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites.

Food and water safety

Firstly, it is recommended that you do not drink tap water in Belize. While it is generally safe for brushing your teeth, cooking, and rinsing food, drinking untreated tap water may carry the risk of waterborne diseases. It is best to opt for bottled or purified water for drinking and making ice. Most accommodations in Belize provide purified drinking water, but if not, it can be purchased from supermarkets.

When it comes to food, it is advisable to follow the general rule: "If you can't boil it, cook it, or peel it, don't eat it." This will help reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. It is also recommended to avoid street food, unless it is selling quickly and is served hot. Additionally, try to avoid raw or undercooked meat and fish, and only eat fruits and vegetables that you have washed or peeled yourself. High-end restaurants and those catering to tourists are likely to be more careful about the food they serve, so you can dine there with less worry.

To further reduce the risk of any health issues, make sure your routine vaccinations, such as Hepatitis A, are up to date before travelling to Belize.

Animal bites

Insects and Arachnids

The insects and arachnids in Belize include mosquitoes, sand flies, scorpions, spiders, and botflies. While sand flies do not carry any known diseases, their bites can be extremely itchy and uncomfortable. Scorpions are common, especially in dark corners, beaches, and piles of wood. Their stings are not usually dangerous but can be serious for people prone to anaphylactic shock. Spiders in Belize include tarantulas, brown recluses, and black widows. Tarantulas are not considered a major threat, and while the bites of brown recluses and black widows are rarely fatal, they can be extremely painful and require medical attention.

Snakes

Belize is home to a variety of venomous snakes, including the Fer-de-Lance, the Mayan coral snake, the Neotropical rattlesnake, and the coral snake. The Fer-de-Lance is considered particularly dangerous due to its aggression towards humans and its ability to inject a large amount of venom. Its bite can cause tissue degradation and, in some cases, amputation or death. The Mayan coral snake, on the other hand, is shy around humans and often delivers dry bites (without injecting venom). However, its bite can still be dangerous due to the high toxicity of its venom.

Mammals

Belize is also home to some potentially dangerous mammals, such as jaguars, pumas, and vampire bats. However, these animals typically avoid humans and are not considered a significant threat. Jaguars and pumas are elusive and rarely seen by visitors. Vampire bats are known to spread rabies, but they primarily feed on livestock and rarely bite humans.

Marine Life

When swimming or snorkelling in Belize, it is important to be cautious of marine life such as sea urchins, anemones, sea wasps, and fire coral. Sea urchins, in particular, can inflict painful stings and infections. It is also important to avoid touching or stepping on coral, as cuts from coral can easily become infected.

General Precautions

To protect yourself from animal bites and stings in Belize, it is recommended to take the following precautions:

• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid approaching or disturbing wild animals.
• Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks to protect your skin from insect bites.
• Use insect repellent and sleep under mosquito nets to avoid mosquito bites.
• Shake out clothing and shoes before putting them on to avoid scorpion stings.
• Stay in well-screened accommodations or use a fan to blow away insects while sleeping.
• Seek medical attention immediately if bitten or scratched by any animal.

Frequently asked questions