Belize

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• The whole country is infected with malaria; strains are not resistant to chloroquine (zone 1).
• Diseases transmitted by arthropods are common in rural areas, below 2000 meters of altitude, particularly during the rain season (from July to Septembre). Cases of dengue fever have been reported.
• Hepatitis B is common in the country.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Protect yourself carefully from sun and heat to avoid burns and sunstrokes.
• Diarrheic diseases are frequent.

FOOD SAFETY

• Gastric diseases are common among tourists who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.
• Do not drink tap water and favor bottled mineral water, without ice; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands carefully before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• Travellers entering the country from an endemic area are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
Systematically:
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.



Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• Recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria: chloroquine (commercial name: Nivaquine).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Belize City
• Belize Diagnostic Center: phone + 501 245 779
• Belize City Medical Center, 1 Market Square: phone + 501 2 72727, fax + 501 2 74624
• Belize Medical Associates, 5791 St. Thomas Street, Kings Park: phone + 501 223 0302, fax + 501 223 3837
• Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, Princess Margaret Drive: phone + 501 223 1548, fax + 501 223 3081

CLIMATE

• The climate is subtropical, hot and humid.
• The dry season lasts from February to April in the north of the country. From January to April, temperatures are milder with sunny days and little rain.
• From June to August, rainfalls are daily and less important in the north than in the south.
• In the Maya mountains (southern and western Belize), the weather is hot and humid all year long, with cooler nights.
• When to go: between January and April.