The news broke out from this afternoon, and 20 minutes ago, the Ministry of Health sent out a release confirming that there are five confirmed cases of Influenza A H1N1 in Belize.
These results were received from CAREC today. All five cases are from the Corozal district and linked to the Casinos adjoining the Corozal Free Zone.
The official release reports that these individuals have been treated and are recovering at home.
The Ministry is awaiting the results of fifteen other suspected cases, the majority of which presented mild flu-like symptoms.
And what about public events? According to the release, there is no need at this time to limit any mass gatherings.
Still, the public is advised to continue washing hands with soap and water, covering your coughs, seek medical attention if you present any flu-like symptoms and stay at home until your symptoms are resolved.
Since the H1N1 outbreak in April, Belize has remained remarkably free of any confirmed cases even as Swine Flu spread to every neighboring country and the Caribbean.
But the run of good luck is over; it’s here now and tomorrow, we’ll tell you what public health authorities are advising to contain the spread.