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The World Health Organization today declared the novel Coronavirus epidemic as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

So what does it mean for us here in Belize?

Well, the Ministry of Health says Belize is monitoring a case of interest in the Corozal District but our health officials maintain there is still no cause for panic. 

Belize still has no case confirmed and a release says there aren't any developments to warrant worry.   The National Surveillance Team of the Ministry of Health informed that it will be following the developments so that the relevant changes in response is mirrored. 

The Caribbean region still remains classified as low risk and the declaration of the public health emergency of international concern does not mean that there are any changes in terms of travel bans or restrictions. The Ministry of Health continues ongoing discussions with Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and PAHO regional offices so as to keep everyone abreast of the regional response.

And today the Director-General of the WHO held a Press conference not just to declare International concern but to do so in the interest of countries with weaker health systems that might be ill-prepared to deal with the virus, countries like Belize:

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus - WHO Director General

"The number of cases in the rest of the world so far has remain small. There are now 98 cases in 18 countries outside China including 8 cases of human to human transmission in 4 countries, Germany, Japan, Vietnam and The United States of America. So far, we have not seen any deaths outside China for which we must all be grateful. Although these numbers are still small compared to the numbers of cases in China, we must all act together now to limit further spread. The vast majority of cases outside China, have travel history to Wuhan or contact with someone with a travel history to Wuhan. We don't know what sort of damage this virus could do if it were to spread in a country with a weaker health system. We must act now to help countries prepare for that possibility for all of these reasons, I'm declaring a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of Coronavirus. The main reason for this declaration, is not because of what is happening in China but because of what is happening in other countries. Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems and which are ill prepared to deal with it. Let me be clear, this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China, on the contrary, WHO continues to have the confidence in China's capacity to control the outbreak. I'll repeat this, let me be clear, this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China, on the contrary. WHO continues to have confidence in China's capacity to control the outbreak."

Since we are still very much in the middle of flu season, the public is advised to make every effort to reduce the spreading of the flu and other viruses, by adhering to proper handwashing and hygiene practices.  Those same hygiene practices are advisable for reducing any risk of transmission of the coronavirus and the novel Coronavirus 2019.