BELMOPAN, Belize, Apr 15, CMC – Belize health authorities Tuesday said that a case of malaria confirmed here this year had been imported from Guatemala even as they said three other cases had been instances of local transmission in over six years.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health & Wellness said that the recent confirmation of locally transmitted malaria cases in Santa Elena Town and Cristo Rey Village, located in the Cayo District, mark the first instances of local transmission “a significant development in the country’s efforts to prevent the re-establishment of malaria”.
Earlier this week, Belizean health authorities confirmed two positive cases of measles in the country, more than three decades after it had recorded a case in 1991.
The Ministry of Health & Wellness said the positive cases were identified in persons from the Corozal and Cayo districts who formed part of a group with a recent travel history to Mexico.
It said since their return on March 31, 2025, two of the persons developed fever and rash, and samples were collected, which confirmed the diagnosis. All persons who travelled in that group remain in isolation at this time, and the ministry continues to monitor for any development of fever and rash.
In its latest statement, the ministry said the initial case was detected on January 17, with additional cases detected on March 11 and April 5.
”Of the four confirmed cases in 2025, three are attributed to local transmission, and one is classified as imported from Petén, Guatemala. The cases were detected through routine surveillance at both public and private healthcare facilities,” it added.
Malaria is a febrile disease caused by parasites, transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Infected individuals typically experience episodes of fever with chills and sweating every 48 to 72 hours.
The authorities said in response to the cases, the Vector Control Programme, in collaboration with regional health surveillance officers, has implemented several measures, including house-to-house fever screening, mosquito control activities, such as fogging and larviciding as well as community awareness campaigns to educate residents on symptoms and prevention.
The ministry said all identified patients received appropriate supervised medical treatment and tested negative upon follow-up.
“Enhanced surveillance has been activated along the Western border, particularly in the Santa Elena neighborhoods of Santa Cruz and Hillview, as well as Cristo Rey Village. The Ministry is actively testing individuals who currently have, or recently had, a fever within the past 30 days.
“While this development is of concern, Belize remains committed to maintaining its malaria-free status, which was first achieved in June 2023,” the ministry added.
CMC/ah/ir/2025