Illness And Belize: What You Need To Know

Belize is a popular destination for tourists seeking sun and snorkelling, but there are some health risks to be aware of before travelling there. The country has a high rate of hepatitis A, which is contracted through food or water consumption, and poor sanitary conditions. There is also a risk of contracting hepatitis B, which is transmitted through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products. Other common diseases in Belize include tuberculosis, rabies, and malaria.

It is recommended that travellers to Belize are up to date with all routine vaccines, including COVID-19, chickenpox, and MMR. Additionally, vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and rabies are recommended for most travellers.

To avoid illness while in Belize, it is important to take precautions with food and water, as community sanitation and food safety measures are generally inadequate. It is also important to take measures to prevent insect bites, as diseases such as dengue fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya are spread by mosquitoes.

Hepatitis A

Belize is known for its luxurious vacation getaways and tropical fun. However, it is important to be aware of potential health risks before travelling to this Central American country. Hepatitis A is one of the common diseases in Belize, and it can be contracted through food or water consumption. The good news is that there is a safe and effective vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis A. The CDC recommends this vaccination for unvaccinated travellers younger than 60 years old travelling to Belize. Unvaccinated travellers 60 years and older may also get vaccinated before their trip.

The symptoms of Hepatitis A can range from mild to severe and can include fever, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark-coloured urine, and jaundice (a yellowing of the eyes and skin). The severity of the disease and the risk of fatal outcomes are higher in older age groups. Almost everyone recovers fully from Hepatitis A and develops lifelong immunity. However, a very small proportion of infected individuals may die from fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure).

To reduce the risk of contracting Hepatitis A in Belize, it is important to follow good hygiene practices, such as regular handwashing before meals and after using the bathroom, and to ensure the consumption of safe food and water. Additionally, it is recommended to get vaccinated before travelling to areas with high endemicity, as this is an effective way to prevent the disease.

Hepatitis B

If you are travelling to Belize, it is recommended that you get vaccinated for Hepatitis B. This is because the disease is spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids, and it can be passed from mother to child. In addition to getting vaccinated, there are other ways to reduce the risk of getting or spreading Hepatitis B:

• Practise safe sex by using condoms and reducing the number of sexual partners.
• Avoid sharing needles or any equipment used for injecting drugs, piercing, or tattooing.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after coming into contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated surfaces.
• If you work in a healthcare setting, get vaccinated for Hepatitis B.

It is important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate vaccinations and precautions for your specific situation before travelling to Belize or any other destination.

Zika virus

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which was first identified in Uganda in 1947. Since then, it has remained mainly in Africa, with small and sporadic outbreaks in Asia. In 2007, a major epidemic was reported on the island of Yap in Micronesia, where nearly 75% of the population was infected. In 2015, the Zika virus arrived in Brazil, and an association between the virus and microcephaly was discovered. In February 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika-related microcephaly a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). However, in November of the same year, the WHO declared the end of the emergency.

Zika is now endemic in the Americas, and Belize is considered a risk area for the virus. The virus is transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, which are most active early in the morning and at dusk. These mosquitoes also transmit dengue, chikungunya, and urban yellow fever.

Most people infected with Zika do not develop symptoms, but those who do typically experience a rash, fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache that last for 2-7 days. The clinical appearance is often similar to dengue or chikungunya.

Zika infection during pregnancy can cause serious complications, including microcephaly and other congenital malformations, preterm birth, and miscarriage. Zika infection has also been associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuropathy, and myelitis in adults and children.

There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment available for Zika. Prevention of the disease involves avoiding mosquito bites, especially during the day and early evening, when Aedes mosquitoes are most active. This can be done by wearing long clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping under mosquito nets. It is also important to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, such as standing water in containers, and to cover water storage containers.

Dengue fever

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent.
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on the skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

If you are experiencing the following symptoms, it is recommended that you seek immediate medical attention:

• Fever
• Headache
• Chills
• Muscle pain/aches
• Retroorbital pain
• Arthralgia
• Cough
• Sore throat/painful swallowing
• Coryza/congestion/rhinorrhea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

Chagas disease

The parasite is typically found in rural areas, and the bugs live in the walls or roof cracks of homes and surrounding structures such as chicken coops, pens, and warehouses. They hide during the day and feed on animal and human blood at night. They usually bite an exposed area of skin and defecate or urinate close to the bite. The parasites enter the body when a person instinctively smears the bug's faeces or urine into the bite, other breaks in the skin, the eyes, or the mouth.

• Orally (foodborne) by consuming food or beverages contaminated with T. cruzi through contact with faeces or urine from infected bugs.
• During pregnancy, childbirth, or through breastfeeding.
• Through blood or blood product transfusion.
• Through organ transplants, such as heart or kidney transplants.
• Through laboratory accidents.

The disease has two phases: acute and chronic. The acute phase lasts for about two months after infection and is often symptom-free or mild, with possible symptoms including fever, headache, enlarged lymph glands, muscle pain, difficulty breathing, swelling, and abdominal or chest pain. The chronic phase can occur 10 to 20 years after the initial infection and can cause serious heart and digestive problems, including cardiac disorders, enlargement of the oesophagus or colon, and neurological alterations.

To prevent Chagas disease, it is important to avoid contact with the triatomine bug and take measures such as using insecticides and bed nets, improving house cleanliness, and practising good hygiene, especially when preparing food.

Frequently asked questions