And Dr Friesen says that they continue to push for people to get vaccinated, as it increases their resistance to catching the virus from an infected person. We asked her about what last year's cases looked like, since most of these cases are among persons who had travelled recently to neighbouring countries.
Dr Laura Friesen - Acting Dep Director of Public Health and Wellness
"We had 44 cases last year but that was the first cases we have had in over 30 years so we have 30 generations of children that did not need to suffer measles they did not need to have the complications of measles they did not need to be hospitalized for measles however unfortunately due to the regional outbreaks we did have outbreaks last year and we did have up to 44 cases. This year we only had 12 but we are encouraging heightened vigilance in the community because measles are very contagious. One case is an outbreak because one case can infect 18 other people who are unvaccinated so the message is you need to be vaccinated because if you do come in contact with someone with measles which could possibly; y happen due to the regional situation, and the situation Belize then if you are vaccinated then you wouldn't get the disease. If you are unvaccinated then you are very likely to contract the disease if you come in contact with someone who is infectious. So get vaccinated check yoru records if you don't have a record or you are unsure go in with the nurse let them check your record. If we don't find your record then get a vaccine, check your children, get them vaccinated because this is the only way it will not continue to pop up in our country."
