Health Officials Provide Updates on Belize’s First Measles Cases Since 1991

Belizean health officials have confirmed two imported cases of measles, the country’s first since 1991. The cases involve two unvaccinated 17-year-olds from the Corozal and Cayo districts who recently returned from a trip to Chihuahua, Mexico. Both developed symptoms in early April, and lab confirmation was received on April 12.

Dr Melissa Diaz-Musa, Director of Public Health and Wellness, shared the details during a media briefing, noting that the teens were part of a group of 15 travellers. Thirteen remain asymptomatic, with 11 confirmed to be vaccinated. All group members are under monitoring by Ministry of Health and Wellness staff. “Two unvaccinated persons have developed symptoms in Belize and tested positive for measles.”

She added, “The details of the two positive cases are as follows: A 17-year-old male unvaccinated who started with fever, rash, and cough on April 3rd. Laboratory confirmation of measles was received on April 12th. The second case is an unvaccinated 17-year-old female who started with symptoms on April 2nd.”

The confirmation comes amid a sharp regional rise in measles cases. Between January and March 2025, over 500 confirmed cases were reported in the Americas—including in Mexico, Canada, the U.S., and Argentina—surpassing numbers from the same period last year.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that Belize has worked to eliminate through routine immunisations. The country began offering the measles vaccine in 1973 and introduced the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine in 1996. Despite these efforts, national vaccine coverage remains below the target of 95%, with only 83.9% coverage reported in 2024. The Belize and Cayo districts had the lowest rates at 73.5% and 79%, respectively.

Dr. Diaz-Musa said Belize currently has 39,000 MMR doses and is prepared to increase supply with assistance from Mexico if necessary. She urged parents to review their children’s vaccination records and encouraged unvaccinated adults to visit a nearby health facility.

The ministry has also intensified national surveillance, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns. “We are educating the public, testing early, and ensuring vaccines are available,” Dr Diaz-Musa said.

Health officials are asking the public to remain alert for symptoms of measles—such as fever, rash, and cough—and to report suspected cases promptly to the nearest health centre or by calling 0-800-MOH-CARE.