‡Suspected cases have not been confirmed by laboratory tests as being due to this strain, although some other strains may have been ruled out.
On 12 April 2025, two cases of measles linked to international travel were confirmed in the Cayo and Corozal districts of Belize. By 28 April, a further five cases were confirmed among close contacts of these initial cases. On 12 May, health authorities declared local transmission of measles in Spanish Lookout, Cayo. As of 13 May, the outbreak is confirmed to have infected seven persons and suspected to have infected at least a few more. No deaths have been reported. This outbreak is the first such in the country since the eradication of measles in 1991.
Belize was deemed measles-free in 1991, and reported no positive cases in the ensuing decades (until the present outbreak) despite not meeting the WHO target vaccination range for measles (92–95 percent).[n 1]
Epidemiology
On 12 April, the Ministry of Health & Wellness confirmed two positive measles cases in two 17 year old males from Corozal and Cayo with no vaccination history.[n 2] They reported having travelled to Chihuahua, Mexico from 5 January to 31 March for a religious gathering, and having subsequently developed symptoms on 2–3 April.[n 3] By 28 April, an additional five positive cases were confirmed among close contacts of the two aforementioned patients.[1]
On 12 May, the Ministry reported they were monitoring a number of suspected cases in Spanish Lookout, Cayo, likewise linked to recent travel to Chihuahua, and further cautioned the public of 'ongoing measles transmission' in the said Mennonite village.[n 4]
Response
The Ministry of Health & Wellness reported the positive measles cases on 13 April, noting they would increase surveillance efforts and vaccine access in response, and encouraging unvaccinated persons to receive both doses of the MMR vaccine at their nearest health facility.[2] Op-ed writer Omar Silva noted that the outbreak 'jolted the nation,' and further criticised the Ministry's delayed reporting, low vaccine stockpiles, and weak surveillance at ports of entry.[3]
↑ POa, para 1, WHO, sec 2. In 2024, only 83.9 percent of the population had received the second dose of the MMR vaccine (WHO, sec 2). In particular, Cayo reported the lowest coverage for the same at 73.5 percent in 2024 (Amandala, para 4).
↑ WHO, sec 2. Or a 17 year old male and female (Sun, paras 1, 3, Amandala, para 1).
↑ WHO, sec 2. The trip to Chihuahua was undertaken by 15 persons (including the two patients) from four Belizean towns or villages, all of whom were quarantined (Sun, para 3, Amandala, para 1).
↑ POc, paras 3-4, 7News, paras 1-5, Love, paras 1-2. The Ministry was alerted of a possible measles case in said village on 9 May (7News, para 4).
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