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The Ministry of Health and Wellness reported Tuesday that three cases of local malaria transmission have been detected in Santa Elena Town and Cristo Rey Village in the Cayo District since January. A fourth case was identified as imported from neighbouring Petén, Guatemala.

The first case was detected on January 17, with subsequent cases identified on March 11 and April 5. All cases were discovered through routine surveillance conducted at both public and private healthcare facilities across the country.

Health authorities have implemented comprehensive response measures including house-to-house fever screening in affected areas, intensified mosquito control activities such as fogging and larviciding, and community awareness campaigns on prevention methods and symptom recognition.

Officials confirmed that all identified patients have received appropriate supervised medical treatment and tested negative upon follow-up examinations.

“Enhanced surveillance has been activated along the Western border, particularly in the Santa Elena neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz and Hillview, as well as Cristo Rey Village. The Ministry is actively testing individuals who currently have, or recently had, a fever within the past 30 days,” officials said in a press release.

The ministry is urging residents “presenting with fever and chills, especially those who have travelled to neighbouring countries within the past 30 days, to visit the nearest health facility for free malaria testing.”

Health officials are encouraging preventive measures including the use of insect repellent, bed nets, maintaining clean surroundings, and eliminating standing water around homes where mosquitoes can breed.

Despite this development, “Belize remains committed to maintaining its malaria-free status, which was first achieved in June 2023,” the statement concluded.