The Ministry of Health today issued a public advisory on what it is calling
a quote “major outbreak of flu-like illness in caulker.” While there
has been no laboratory confirmed case of the H1N1 flu virus on the island, the
scare has forced the closure of all schools on the island and now the postponement
of all of September celebration activities.
Village Chairman Ralph Humes told us that the island’s crowning of its
queen, its Independence Day ceremony and parade, and even the fireworks have
now all been postponed to the weekend of October 12th.
Another 21 villagers with flu like symptoms visited the doctor today. That
is in addition to the thirty yesterday and of course the 139 students at the
Roman Catholic Primary School who fell ill during the first two weeks of school.
The school is believed to be ground zero for the outbreak that has quickly spread
in the village of 18 hundred residents. Hotels and restaurants on the island
remain open but the Ministry of Health advises persons with flu symptoms to
stay home.
As for Belize City and the area of interest at St. Catherine’s Academy
where 18 students had to be sent home earlier this week. Director of Health
Services Michael Pitts today confirmed that they have visited the school and
reviewed most of the 18 cases showing flu like symptoms. Health authorities
have concluded that those cases represent a mix of illnesses. Samples for H1N1
are also being collected.
Pitts told us that there is no evidence of an infection explosion in Belize
City and all public events planned for the city and other parts of the country
for the independence day weekend should go on.
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