2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Health Officials Urge Vaccination as Measles Surveillance Tightens

With measles cases on the rise, health authorities are stepping up their response and urging the public to stick to vaccination guidelines. The Ministry of Health & Wellness is reminding parents that children should receive two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, one at twelve months and another at eighteen months. Anyone over eighteen months who hasn’t been vaccinated should get two doses, spaced a month apart. If you’ve only had one shot, a booster is recommended. And if you’re unsure of your vaccination status, health officials say it’s safest to get one dose. As for travel to Spanish Lookout, the center of the current outbreak, the Ministry is advising the public to proceed with caution.

Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa, Director of Public Health & Wellness

“It urges caution when visiting the area if you are unvaccinated. So if you are vaccinated, feel free to visit the area. If your children are vaccinated, feel free. We want to stress that it’s the unvaccinated who are the persons at risk. So if you are not vaccinated please take caution, please ensure that especially the at-risk kids, children five and under, if you are not vaccinated, talk to us, ask us to clarify any questions or concerns. Ask us to clarify any questions or concerns that you might have about the vaccine and we would be willing to help in that regard.”

Unvaccinated people exposed to measles must quarantine for up to twenty-one days. Those who are vaccinated do not need to isolate. However, the MMR vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems. Health officials are calling on the public to stay alert and get vaccinated to help stop the spread.

Ongoing Measles Transmission in Spanish Lookout

Belize health authorities confirmed ongoing measles transmission in the Spanish Lookout community, following recent developments in the country.

Dr. Melissa Musa, Director of Public Health and Wellness, said, “So as you all are aware, on April 12th, 2025, we got confirmation of two measles cases in country. This was laboratory confirmation. The cases were immediately informed and were isolated. And these cases that we had mentioned before was associated with travel to Mexico. So these were considered imported cases.”

Following the confirmation of these initial cases, the Ministry of Health and Wellness implemented heightened surveillance and contact tracing, actively monitoring clinics and mobile units for fever and rash symptoms. Dr. Musa continued, “At that time, the Ministry of Health and Wellness did contact tracing. We did continuous monitoring and we did what’s called heightened surveillance. So actually actively in our clinics on our mobiles, looking for cases of fever and rash and sending in laboratory samples for testing on April 27th.”

As part of ongoing efforts, the Ministry issued an update on April 27th after discovering five additional linked cases, all within the same family. “We had found five additional epidemiological linked cases, so that was linked to one of the laboratory-confirmed cases, so it was in the same family. And these people were again, isolated.”

Despite sending 54 samples for testing, only the initial two cases were confirmed positive for measles. Dr. Musa noted, “Since April 27th, we have continued to do our heightened surveillance. We’ve continued to send laboratory samples for testing. 54 samples have been sent so far, and the only two laboratory confirmed were the ones that we reported on.”

A new development emerged on May 9th when another individual with fever and rash was identified at a facility in Spanish Lookout. The individual did not have a travel history but was linked to someone who had recently traveled to Mexico. Dr. Musa explained, “On Friday, the 9th of May, we were informed that there was someone with fever and rash at a facility in the Spanish Lookout area. We visited and we took samples for this person, and these samples are in the process of being run. We haven’t received the results as yet, but clinically, that person fits the clinical definition of measles.”

Further investigation revealed that the case in Spanish Lookout appeared to be locally transmitted “because it appears that it’s locally transmitted at this point because this person has no travel history. This person has nobody in the family that has traveled to Mexico, but this person is linked to someone who had recently traveled to Mexico.”

Father of Selvin Sealy Jr Speaks Out After Son’s Death in Police Custody

The family of 32-year-old Selvin Sealy Jr is demanding answers after he died in police custody early Monday morning in San Pedro. His death has left relatives in shock and mourning, particularly his father, who is calling for clarity and justice.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, Sealy was acting erratically near Villa Abrazos around 6:30 a.m., allegedly climbing a tree after claiming he was being chased by a dog. Police reportedly instructed him to come down, and after a confrontation, used force to subdue him. He was then taken to the police station, where officers observed that he was unresponsive. Sealy was rushed to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where he was later pronounced dead.

Sealy’s father spoke emotionally about receiving the devastating news. “I’m heartbroken about my son, and I don’t wish this on anyone; it’s a really rough feeling,” he said. “Even right now, I get emotional.”

He recounted, “The call came to my house about 7:30, somewhere around there… I was getting ready to go out, and then I heard that my son was critical at the polyclinic in San Pedro. So I got the news, and I got ready, and I went there directly.”

“In all the chaos and all the situations, I saw my son lying dead on the table, and it was a really heartfelt emotion for me,” he said.

The father says police informed him that his son had been at a private rental property when security called law enforcement. “I don’t know what transpired from there. They do have videos which I would like to see and get for my personal satisfaction.”

He continued, “Something happened when the police picked him up… That part, I would really like a clarification.”

Reports suggest Sealy may have been handcuffed and taken to the station after being subdued. His father insists his son appeared well earlier that morning. “My other son saw him at 6:30, passing by the boats on the beach,” he said.

“I just want justice. I’m not pinpointing fingers, but my son died,” the grieving father stated.

Toddler Passes Swallowed Coin After 20-Day Scare

After a nerve-wracking 20-day wait, a relieved mother is celebrating the safe recovery of her young daughter, who recently passed a dollar coin she had accidentally swallowed.

Doreen Baltazar said the incident, which began nearly three weeks ago, caused considerable concern for the family. She stated, “Imagine seeing her poop, and boom—there was the coin!” she wrote. “I cheered so loud!”

The post quickly gained attention as she extended heartfelt thanks to everyone who had checked in on her daughter and offered prayers. “Your kind gesture made me feel overwhelmed with gratitude,” she said.

The little girl is now doing well, and her mother proudly shared a photo of her daughter with the now-infamous coin in hand.

Missing Student Found Dead Near Belmopan

Police are investigating the death of 24-year-old student Moises Garbutt of the Roaring Creek Village, who was reported missing over the weekend. Reports are that Garbutt’s body was discovered this afternoon near a quarry in Belmopan.

Garbutt, a father of two, was last seen on Saturday night. According to relatives, he spoke with his mother and girlfriend around 9 p.m.

When relatives visited his home the next day for his birthday, he was not there.

The family had launched their own search after claiming lack of assistance by the police, and claimed that Garbutt may have been held against his will by someone.

Gons Racing Club Founder Announces Pause After 200 Weeks of Cycling Events

Israel Gonzalez, founder and owner of Gons Racing Club, has announced that the club will go on an indefinite pause after Week 200, which falls on Thursday, June 19, 2025. The decision marks the end of nearly four years of consistent cycling races and community engagement.

In an official notice shared publicly, Gonzalez cited negativity and criticism from certain individuals as the reason behind his decision. Despite years of dedication and efforts to promote the sport, he said it has become increasingly difficult to continue under such conditions.

“Over the years I have tried to accommodate everyone and build cycling in Belize, but it was futile,” Gonzalez wrote. “I was doing this all for the love of the sport. It’s not like I was gaining anything from it.”

Though stepping back from organising, Gonzalez said he’s not leaving the sport entirely. He remains open to participating in races if requested to assist.

Six Months After Rebuild, Government School Faces Roof Issues

A leaking roof at Saint Matthew’s Government School has prompted immediate action from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, just six months after the building’s official opening. The issue came to light after a teacher publicly voiced frustration over water soaking her lesson charts and forming puddles in the classroom.

Area Representative and Minister of Infrastructure Development, Julius Espat, confirmed that both the ministry’s lead engineer and the project contractor were immediately dispatched to assess the situation. “We’re taking this seriously,” Espat stated. “We want to ensure our children and teachers have a safe and comfortable learning environment.”

Espat explained that the problem appears to stem from clogged roof drains caused by fallen leaves from nearby trees, not structural defects. “It’s not a major issue,” he told News 5. “will have to trim the trees, and we’ll have to make sure that the management of the school does a little bit more periodic maintenance to make sure that all the drains are free.”

Espat assured that the school remains under warranty, and the contractor is already on-site addressing the issue.

The new school building was rebuilt after a devastating fire in March 2023 through a joint effort by the Ministry and local community, and was inaugurated in November 2024.

PSU Clarifies: “We’re Not Asking for a Raise—We Want What’s Owed”

The Public Service Union (PSU) of Belize has issued a firm public statement aimed at correcting what it calls “misinformation” surrounding its current advocacy efforts for public officers and teachers. In a post tagged #SetTheRecordStraight, the PSU clarified that it is not demanding salary increases but rather the restoration of three years’ worth of frozen increments—benefits they say were earned, not gifted.

“We are not demanding a salary increase but rather a restoration of earned benefits contractually owed to public servants and withheld due to past government policies,” the PSU stated.

According to the union, these annual increments are a standard and contractual part of public service compensation, tied to tenure and performance—not discretionary raises.

“These increments are not discretionary ‘raises’ but part of a structured compensation system designed to recognise performance, experience, and public service loyalty,” the PSU explained.

“We are not asking for new money but for the government to fulfill obligations that were deferred,” the statement read.

“Public officers have effectively worked these years without receiving compensation they had already earned through their service.”

The union warned that continuing to withhold these increments during inflationary periods only worsens the burden on public servants and erodes trust in public sector employment agreements.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial Opens with Graphic Allegations of Abuse and Exploitation

The trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs began on Monday in federal court, where he faces serious charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution. If convicted, Combs could face life imprisonment. He has pleaded not guilty to all five charges, according to CNN.

In the opening arguments, Assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson alleged that behind his celebrity persona stood a man who “ran a criminal enterprise,” CNN reported.

Prosecutors claim Combs used his business resources to exploit women sexually, orchestrating events known as “Freak Offs,” where women were allegedly drugged and coerced into sex acts.

Johnson said evidence will centre on two women, including Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and another accuser, identified as “Jane.”

The defence, led by attorney Teny Geragos, acknowledged Combs’ history of violence but argued that domestic abuse is not sex trafficking.

According to CNN, testimony from LAPD officer Israel Florez described a 2016 incident involving Ventura, alleging Combs attempted to bribe him. Another witness, Daniel Phillip, testified to being paid to have sex with Ventura while Combs watched and recorded the acts.

The trial continues today with more testimonies to be presented.

PACT Secures Re-Accreditation to Global Climate Fund

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) has successfully secured its re-accreditation as a National Implementing Entity (NIE) of the Adaptation Fund, allowing it to continue channeling international climate finance into Belize for another five years.

The decision was made during the 44th Meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board on April 11, with official notification sent on May 7.

Since first being accredited in 2011 and re-accredited in 2019, PACT has mobilized over BZ$18.3 million for climate resilience and adaptation projects across Belize. With BZ$10 million currently in the pipeline, the organization aims to raise an additional BZ$40 million during this new cycle.

The Adaptation Fund supports vulnerable communities worldwide in addressing the impacts of climate change and has committed US$1.25 billion to resilience initiatives benefiting nearly 46 million people globally.