2025-04-14 - Channel 5 Belize

After 34 Years, Measles Case are Confirmed in Belize

Belize has confirmed cases of measles for the first time in thirty-four years. The Ministry of Health and Wellness announced in a virtual press conference that the first suspected cases appeared after Belizeans visited Mexico in March. Two people returned with symptoms like fever and skin rashes, and tests confirmed they had measles. This breaks Belize’s record of being measles-free since 1991. The patients are from the Corozal and Cayo districts and were part of a group that recently came back from Mexico. The rest of the group is now in isolation, being monitored for any signs of fever or rash. The ministry is urging the public to get vaccinated against measles, which takes about twenty-one days to recover from. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting

After more than thirty years without measles, Belize confirmed two cases of the virus on Saturday. Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa, Director of Public Health and Wellness, said the group, from four different communities in Belize, traveled to Chihuahua, Mexico in January and returned on March thirtieth. The rest of the group is in isolation and showing no symptoms so far, with most of them being vaccinated. The patients are teenagers.

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

“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 third. Laboratory confirmation of measles was received on April twelfth. The second case is a 17-year-old female unvaccinated who started with symptoms on April second. Laboratory confirmation of measles was received on April twelfth. All fifteen travelers have been interviewed by the staff of the Ministry of Health and Wellness and are being monitored regularly for signs and symptoms.”

Musa explained that they acted as soon as they got reports of patients with symptoms, while waiting for test results to confirm measles. These cases come amid a surge in measles across the Americas, with over five hundred confirmed cases in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and Argentina. Although many people in Belize are vaccinated, the rate is still below the ninety-five percent target, especially in the Cayo and Belize Districts. The Ministry of Health is urging Belizeans to get vaccinated.

Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa

“The Ministry of Health and Wellness urges the public to ensure vaccinations are up to date, particularly for children. Parents, check your children’s vaccine cards to determine if their vaccines are up to date. Adults who have not received an MMR vaccine or who are uncertain of their vaccination status should visit a health facility to receive the vaccine.”

Dr. Natalia Beer, Technical Advisor, Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health

“Any unvaccinated person traveling abroad who come in contact with persons that may be infected with measles, more than likely will be infected with measles. We have so many flights in and out of Belize and if we look at the data in the U.S., a lot of destinations from Belize, they’re having outbreaks.”

Dr. Natalia Beer, the ministry’s Technical Advisor for Maternal and Child Health, urged everyone, especially those in certain age groups or with existing health conditions, to get vaccinated, particularly if they plan to travel outside Belize in the next month. What makes this illness highly contagious is that patients can spread it even before they show any symptoms.

Dr. Natalia Beer

“The person is contagious even before having signs and symptoms, so it makes it more difficult for one to say, I will stay away from persons that are ill with fever and rash. But the contagious period starts even before that. The high-risk group that we need to target now is unvaccinated children and teenagers, unvaccinated adults from 20 to 59 years, adults greater than 60 years, unvaccinated healthcare workers, immune-compromised persons, pregnant women, and populations living in communities with low vaccination coverage.”

Measles usually starts with symptoms like fever, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that begins at the hairline and spreads down the chest, back, limbs, and the rest of the body. The illness typically lasts for about twenty-one days from the onset of symptoms. The ministry has started holding monthly mobile clinics in remote communities to give out vaccinations, but they’ve noticed that people are hesitant to get vaccinated. This hesitancy has increased since the COVID outbreak. Marion Ali for News Five.

The Effects of Measles Can be Serious, Even Fatal

The medical team stressed that people with chronic illnesses should get vaccinated for measles. Those with weakened immune systems are at risk of severe cases if they catch the virus. While many people recover completely, Doctor Russell Manzanero, an epidemiologist with the Ministry of Health, explained that those in vulnerable health categories can suffer lasting effects or even die.

Dr. Russell Manzanero, Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health & Wellness

“The very young, those who are older, pregnant women, those who have a weakened immune response, such as those perhaps living with cancer or one of the chronic illnesses that are perhaps not managed properly. Those are individuals who have weakened immune system, so those are the persons of concern of where the severity might be even greater. It varies from perhaps, we may have a lung infection, it develops to pneumonias, you can have inflammation and swelling of the brain, but these are instances where hospitalization rates perhaps are not that great. These are the severe cases. In that instance, if you do have a neurological complication that you do get a swelling to the brain, you might have side effects of hearing loss or vision loss, blindness. Yes, there are some cases of death.”

Health Surveillance in Place for Visitors to Belize

Health officials have increased surveillance at Belize’s entry points, like the international airport, cruise ports, and border crossings, to control the measles outbreak before it gets worse. So, even if you’re just leaving for a day or two, especially this Easter, be ready to answer a few questions when you return. Doctor Musa explained the process for people entering the country.

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

“The process in Belize and in the Ministry of Health and Wellness is that we do have public health inspectors trained in surveillance at our borders and at the cruise ships. So, the public health inspectors have numerous roles when they’re at these border points. And one of the roles is in surveillance. And we have now, in fact – the regions are meeting today, and some met yesterday to enhance the surveillance. So, the enhancement basically means that we’re actively looking for cases, reaching out to people who have been sick because of course, a part of the public health inspectors’ duty at the border points, especially for the airport, is to look at the report that the captain says, “just prior to landing” identifying whether somebody is ill on flight, et cetera. And then we take action depending on that. But as Dr. Beer mentioned, we would also have posters. The public health inspectors do ask about fever. We try to identify early if there are any sick families in the group and we then give advice and isolate as needed. So, this will be enhanced. We will more than likely, depending on the regions – because not all regions, the response will be the same. The borders, of course, are a little bit – the land borders might be different than the cruise ships and the airports. So, we will adjust for each border and we will enhance the surveillance at those places.”

One Woman Stabbed in Park, Several Detained

Police have detained several women for a public brawl that occurred on Friday night in Digi Park. According to investigators, this fight quickly escalated to violence and resulted in one woman’s hospitalization after she was stabbed several times. Luckily, she is in stable condition, and no other serious injuries were reported. ACP Hilberto Romero has more details on the incident.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Friday eleventh period of April 2025, Chelsey Lewis reported that she was at New Town Barracks in Belize City when she had a fight with several females. As a result, she received stab wound injuries, she was taken to the KHMH for treatment and is in a stable condition. An investigation was carried out and Erynne Belezaire was arrested and charged for the crimes of dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm.”

Reporter

“Do police know why she stabbed her?”

Hilberto Romero

“They were socializing first at Thirsty Thursdays thereafter, they left from that is where they got into the argument that New Town Brracks, that led to the stabbing.”

Britney Gordon

“Was anyone else injured?”

Hilberto Romero

“No one else was injured.”

Reporter

“So they were together. They were like friends?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yeah, they were all at that location before the incident.”

Reporter

“You don’t know what the nature of the argument was?

Hilberto Romero

“No, we are not sure what they were arguing about.”

Reporter

“Was anyone else detained with respect to the fight itself?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yeah. Other persons were detained, but only this person was arrested for dangerous harm as she did the stabbing.”

Reporter

“What did she stop her with?”

Hilberto Romero

“A knife.”

Reporter

“That she had in her position?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, she had it.”

Fun Night Turns Frightening, Woman Stabbed Outside Bar

That stabbing incident left one woman hospitalized in stable condition, while her alleged attacker faced court today. Twenty-six-year-old Erynne Belezaire was charged with dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm for allegedly stabbing Chelsea Lewis on Friday at Digi Park on Newtown Barracks. Reports say Lewis and four friends were socializing at the Thursday Thirsty Nightclub before walking to the nearby park. There, they were approached by two other women, including Belezaire, and an argument broke out, escalating into violence. During the fight, Belezaire allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Lewis multiple times in the face and body. Today, Belezaire appeared in court without a lawyer and pleaded not guilty to the charges. She was granted bail in the sum of one thousand, five hundred dollars, plus one surety of the same amount, which she met. Under the bail conditions, she must not interfere with Lewis or her family and must stay at least one hundred yards away from Lewis. Belezaire’s next court date is set for June sixteenth, 2025.

Was Luis Marin’s Murder an Act of Retaliation?

On Friday, police confirmed that twenty-four-year-old Luis Marin, who was gunned down in Belize City, was wanted for questioning in relation to the Belmopan shooting incident. On April fifth, several men were captured on CCTV footage scrambling out of a car as a slew of bullets were fired in their direction from a gunman in a nearby vehicle. While no lives were lost, one passenger, Jamal Hyde, was injured. Three days later, Marin would be fatally shot in Belize City. Following the incident, two men have been arrested and charged. ACP Hilberto Romero has more details on the arrest.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“Referenced the murder of Luis Marin that occurred at Pinks Alley. Police this weekend, arrested and charged Scorian Stuart and Michael Gillett jointly for the crime of murder.”

Reporter

“Was this indeed in retaliation?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yes. That is the information we have received. It’s retaliation for that incident.”

Reporter

“Were the two men who are arrested in the vehicle in the for Belmopan incident?”

Hilberto Romero

“No, we don’t have information that they were in that vehicle.”

Reporter

“What connection do they have to the injured person from that shooting?”

Hilberto Romero

“They had some interaction with those persons and that is what led to this murder.”

Reporter

“Were they laywaitiing Mr. Marin like following him around?”

Hilberto Romero

“No. Well, he was at that area in a house when he was targeted. He was inside a house at the time.”

Reporter

“So was Marin believed to be one of the people in the car that had the shooter?”

Hilberto Romero

“Well, he at the time was wanted for questioning regards to that shooting. So that is all information.”

Reporter

“Are the two men who have since been arrested and charged, known to police?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yes. There are known.”

Reporter

“Would you be able to tell us about the affiliation, what group they may have been involved with?”

Hilberto Romero

“I will not provide that information, or an investigation was carried out when they were charged.”

Reporter

“Have police were able to detain all the other ones in suspects in that investigation?”

Hilberto Romero

“Persons were detained, interviewed, so far no one else has been arrested for any of the incident.”

Two Men Charged for the Murder of Luis Marin

Tonight, two men are on remand at the Belize Central Prison following the murder of twenty-four-year-old Luis Marin, which occurred on April eighth, 2025. They are nineteen-year-old Scorian Stuart and twenty-three-year-old Michael Gillet, who were escorted before a magistrate in court this morning, where they were jointly read the single charge of murder for Marin’s death. Reports are that Marin had been socializing with a family member at a home in Pinks Alley when gunmen entered the home and fired in his direction. Police strongly believe his murder to be tied to the Belmopan shooting incident, which led to the injury of Jamal Hyde. Both men appeared unrepresented and were told that due to the nature of the offense, they could not be granted bail. Stuart and Gillett were remanded to the Belize Central Prison until their next court hearing on June ninth, 2025. Reports are that about an hour before his death, a close family friend of Marin’s sent one last text message asking him to be safe.

Elmer Nah’s Trinidadian Attorney Withdraws from Murder Case

Today, part two of the Case Management Conference for Elmer Nah, who is accused of a triple murder in Belmopan, took place. A surprising twist occurred when one of Nah’s attorneys withdrew from the case, leaving him with only one lawyer for his trial. Around 11:30 a.m., the matter was called up before Justice Nigel Pilgrim in the High Court. Only attorney Lynden Jones appeared in person; Trinidadian attorney Peter Taylor and his team did not show up, either in person or virtually. Justice Pilgrim raised the issue of Taylor’s withdrawal, and Jones confirmed he was aware of it, as the documents had been lodged with the High Court. Jones is now the sole attorney representing Nah. In his withdrawal letter, Taylor stated, quote, Mr. Nah expressed dissatisfaction with my representation at the CMC on April 1, 2025, and on that basis, I feel obligated to withdraw my service, end quote. Following this revelation, Jones made several applications to the court. His first application was to set aside time for voir dire in the last week of May. He argued that three separate voir dires are needed: one to determine if Vivian Ramnarace’s statement can be used as evidence, another for the video testimony of Ramnarace regarding the photo array, and a third for the video of the shooting, since the original video from the SD card has vanished. Jones’ second application requested a visit to the locations related to the case: the house where the shootings occurred, Nah’s house, and the alleged pig farm where Nah claimed to be on the night of the murders. Justice Pilgrim agreed and instructed both sides to create a list of all areas to be visited. Jones’ third application was to subpoena ASP Dervin Sambula, now a Magistrate, and ACP Alford Grinage to testify for the defense. His fourth application asked for the video of the shooting to be enhanced by the Government of Belize. Special Prosecutor Terrence Williams from Jamaica said he would seek guidance on this matter. Jones’ fifth and final application requested a transcript of the photo array video, as the defense believes there are discrepancies between the crown’s statement and the video. Justice Pilgrim agreed that the transcript would assist the court, and Williams assured he would seek further assistance. Elmer Nah was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until May 16, 2025, when the final part of the Case Management Conference will occur. The first voir dire is scheduled for May 26-29, 2025, and the trial is tentatively set to begin on June 6, 2025.

Belize Receives Integrated Digital Firearms Registration Management System

Belize’s Ministry of Home Affairs is taking significant steps to manage small arms and light weapons, addressing both national security and regional stability. This initiative is crucial as the country faces challenges related to the proliferation of illicit firearms, which fuel violence and crime. Collaborating with CARICOM IMPACS and the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), Belize is working to enhance its capabilities in controlling and securing these weapons. CARICOM IMPACS supports regional efforts to combat the illicit trade of small arms, while MAG provides technical assistance and training to improve stockpile management. Together, these partnerships aim to reduce armed violence and promote safety across Belize and the Caribbean.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“The Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Firearms and Ammunition Control Board recognizes that the management of small arms and light weapons is not solely a matter of national security. It is a cornerstone of regional stability, rule of law, and international cooperation. As such, we have taken deliberate and strategic action to ensure that our national frameworks align with key instruments such as the CARICOM Declaration on Small Arms and Light weapons, the Arms Trade Treaty, and the United Nations Program of Actions on Small Arms and Light Weapons. This newly integrated digital system, supported by CARICOM Impacts and the Mines Advisory Group is more than a technological innovation, it is a policy instrument that enables us to strengthen compliance with the modular small arms control implementation compendium and international ammunitions technical guidelines standards.”

The US Government’s Role in Preventing the Spread of Small Arms

The US government is playing a pivotal role in managing small arms and light weapons to enhance regional stability in Belize and the wider Caribbean. Collaborating with CARICOM IMPACS and the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), the US is providing crucial support to control the spread of illicit firearms, which fuel violence and crime. Through initiatives like the Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) program, the US is helping to secure weapon stockpiles, train local authorities, and destroy excess arms. These efforts are vital for reducing armed violence and promoting safety across Belize and the Caribbean.

David Hodge, Charge d’Affairs, US Embassy

“The proliferation of small arms and ammunition undermines regional stability, fuels organized crime and drives illegal immigration, challenges that directly impact the safety of both Belizeans and Americans. In tackling these issues we are advancing our own national security and, as Secretary Rubio has noted, the security of our shared hemisphere. The United States is committed to addressing these challenges head-on, providing the Belize Firearms Licensing Board with this digital firearms registry system is a crucial step in this fight.”

Callixtus Joseph, Assistant Director, Policy, Strategy & Innovation

“Today marks a significant milestone in Belize’s ongoing journey to modernize and digitize its firearms governance architecture and strengthen its firearms registration and licensing system. On January second of this year, the Firearms and Ammunition Control Board of Belize formally requested CARICOM Impact’s support to address critical gaps in Belize’s firearms control architecture. In response, our team at CARICOM Impacts, in collaboration with the Mines Advisory Group, and with the general support of the United States government rapidly mobilized technical, operational, and strategic resources. Within days, consultations were held and by March, a comprehensive support package was mobilized and today, just over three months later, we have transitioned from request to delivery.”