Belize

Table 111-9. Malaria statistics for Belize. About 52% of Belize is protected by residual spraying of 100% or 75% DDT to kill
mosquitoes. Many cases of malaria are not confirmed and the last confirmed death due to malaria was in 1976.
(Source: E. Vanzie, MHHCI.
Total Confirmed
Year Population Malaria Cases
1980 145,353 1540
1981 147,000 2072
IQ82 155,370 3868
1983 159,262 4595*
* 1983: P. l'il'ax (3961) and P. j'alcipartllll (634).
Believed to have been eradicated in Belize in 1957,
Aedes aeg),pti mosquito populations havl! recovered, developed
resistance to DDT and by 1982 infested 68 localities
with 73% of the country's population. A 1982 confirmed
outbreak of dengue fever was followed by sporadic,
unconfirmed cases. (Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes
carrying group U arbovirus; A. aeg),pti also carries yellow
fever and a type of this yellow fever is transmitted to
monkeys). For many years there have been no cases of
human yellow fever, although the sylvan variety may occur
in the forest canopy. There is a general need for better
training, more equipment and intenninisterial coordination
to control Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Laboratory facilities
are needed to confirm the dengue fever virus in Belize.
Currently, all confirmations of dengue fever are made by
foreign laboratories.
Infant Mortality
Life expectancy at birth in Belize is67.7 years (1977
PAHO estimate). Infant mortality has been reduced in
Belize by 33% over the last four years to 27/1000 in 1983
(MHHC/PAHO 1983). However, infant mortality may be
higher since Indians in remote villages rarely report infant
deaths (R. Wilk, pers. comm.). Anemia among pregnant
women is being addressed and UNICEF is providing ironfolate
supplements through health clinics (MlmC I 984a).
Though mortality from diarrhea diseases is being conquered,
these diseases are still serious health problems in Belize
(F. Smith, pers, comm.). The education program of Oral
Rehydration Therapy (ORT) has been successful in Belize;
hospitals have fewer infant patients suffering from
dehydration related to diarrheal disease. (1\. Courtenay,
pers. comm.). Women's groups (with guidance from the
Ministry of Social Services, home economics departments,
and the WOl1Jen's Bureau) are anxious to improve their
health, sanitation, and nutrition programs. Social workers
help generate enthusiasm for improved health through
commnity participation (BNCN Meet ing. 27 III 1984).
About 10% of all deaths in Belize relate to conditions
originating in the perinatal period (at the time of child-
Annual
% Increase
10
34
.87
19
% Population
w/Confirmed Malaria
1.\
1.3
2.5
2,9
Pop. Protected
by Spraying
47% ( 73,323)
82% (131,112)
birth), and 5% to cerebro-vascular accidents. This latter
figure may include traffic accidents as there is no category
for traffic deaths in the hospital statistics (C. Harry, pers_
comm.) (see Table 111-10).
Other Health and Sanitation-related Diseases
Seventeen cases of rabies were documented in 1980
among domestic cattle, cats and dogs. More recently, no
more than six cases annually have been reported. One case
of human rabies was documented post mortem in 1981 and
20 to 30 persons per year receive post-exposure treatment
with rabies antiserum.
Leptospirosis is carried by rats and perhaps contracted
by domestic animals. Though there is no rat eradication
program, rodenticide is provided on request by the Public
Health Inspectorate.
Gastroenteritis is a persistent problem but the
etiology is rarely documented. The number of reported
cases in 1983 has increased by more than 150% since
1981-82, but this is considered to be the result of improved
reporting associated with the Diarrhea Control Program.
The mortality rate from gastroenteritis is decreasing
dramatically with the widespread use of ORT.
Immunization
Belize follows WHO's recommendations for immunization.
Vaccines for diphtheria, whooping cough,
tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles (rubeola) and tuberculosis
(BCG) are prOVided by the MHHC with the cooperation of
the PAHO revolving fund. Full protection is scheduled for
completion within the first year of life; however, immunization
records suggest that almost 100% coverage is not
attained until about five years of age (PAHO/ AID 1982).
Accidental Poisonings
Mortality and morbidity due to toxic substances are
poor:y documented. There have been cases of ar.ricultural
39