Swine Flu UPDATE

URGENT
PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Health

Belmopan, April 29, 2009. In light of the ongoing global epidemic of Swine Flu, the World Health Organization has raised the level of alert to Phase 5. This means that the virus has caused sustained community level outbreaks in two or more countries in one World Health Organization Region.

With the underlying principle of preventing any potential transmission of Swine Flu in the country of Belize, the Ministry of Health through the Director of Health Services, in accordance with Section 83 of the Public Health Act, has issued a directive to postpone all major public gatherings until further notice.

This includes the following events:
· The Annual General Meeting of the Holy Redeemer Credit Union Belize City
· Morgan Heritage Musical Concert, Belize City
· The University of Belize Fundraising Event – Spring Fling 2009, Belmopan
· National Agriculture and Trade Show, Belmopan
· Cashew Fest, Crooked Tree
· Hermanos Ponce Circus, Belize City

We ask that organizers and the general public adhere to this public health notice.
(end)

Hot Line
The Ministry of Health has established a Hot Line for the public from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm. the number is 629-5604 and will be handled by Nurse Augustina Eligio, stationed at MOH HQ.

Number of Cases in Belize
Blood samples have been sent to CAREC Trinidad today from suspected cases from: San Pedro Ambergris Caye (1), Belize City (2) and Orange Walk (1)
To date 7 countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases.

The Ministry of Health is working closely with the Pan American Health Organization and will keep the public updated as to the development of events in regards to the outbreak in Mexico and USA.