Belize
Zika Virus

Belize: General Health Risks

Zika Virus

Country Risk

Belize has a history of previous Zika Virus transmission. There is currently no evidence of an ongoing Zika Virus outbreak. However, there is limited information available and there may be delays in detecting and reporting new cases.

Take meticulous anti-mosquito bite measures during the daytime. Pregnant travellers should seek counselling from a travel medicine specialist and carefully consider the risks associated with travel to this country.

Description

Zika Virus infection is caused by the Zika Virus (ZIKV) belonging to the Flaviviridae family. The virus is primarily transmitted by infected daytime biting female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes which are typically active from dawn to dusk. There is evidence that Zika Virus is also transmitted by other mosquitoes belonging to the Aedes genus. The virus can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus.

Risk

Zika Virus is present in Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, tropical areas of Southeast Asia, Oceania, and parts of Africa. All travellers are at risk. Long-term travellers and aid or missionary workers going to areas where Zika Virus is endemic are at greater risk.

Zika Virus is associated with neurological complications: Guillain-Barré syndrome (progressive muscle weakness that can lead to temporary paralysis) and microcephaly (decreased head size which may lead to developmental delays) in infants born to pregnant women infected with the virus.

Is Zika Virus still a risk?

Real-time data on Zika Virus outbreaks and transmission is often not available. This is because most people who become infected with Zika Virus do not show signs or symptoms. In some countries, reliable reporting and monitoring systems that track virus transmission may not be available. As a result, it is not always possible to convey a country’s current level of risk, but travellers should take precautions where risk exists.

All travellers going to areas with Zika Virus risk are advised to take mosquito bite precautions, particularly during the daytime. Pregnant women or couples considering pregnancy should consult a healthcare practitioner prior to travel.

Symptoms

In the majority of cases, Zika Virus infection is asymptomatic – persons do not exhibit symptoms. Those with symptoms usually get ill 3-12 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms include mild fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and general malaise. The illness is characterized by pink eye (inflammation of the conjunctiva), a skin rash with red spots on the face, neck, trunk, and upper arms which can spread to the palms or soles, and sensitivity to light. Some may also have a lack of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, and dizziness. Most people fully recover from the illness within 7 days. Treatment includes supportive care of symptoms. There is no antiviral treatment available.

The Zika Virus is related to Dengue, Yellow Fever, West Nile Virus, and Japanese Encephalitis. It may be misdiagnosed for Dengue and Chikungunya.

Prevention

Travellers going to areas with Zika Virus should take meticulous measures to prevent mosquito bites during the daytime. There is currently no preventive medication or vaccine against Zika Virus.

  • Use a repellent containing 20%-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin on exposed skin. Re-apply according to manufacturer's directions.
  • Wear neutral-coloured (beige, light grey) clothing. If possible, wear long-sleeved, breathable garments.
  • If available, pre-soak or spray outer layer clothing and gear with permethrin.
  • Get rid of water containers around dwellings and ensure that door and window screens work properly.
  • Apply sunscreen first followed by the repellent (preferably 20 minutes later).
  • For more details, see IAMAT's insect bite prevention.

Pregnancy and Zika Virus

Travellers who are pregnant or considering pregnancy should take special precautions for themselves and their partners.

Pregnant women: If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, you should consider postponing travel to areas with risk of Zika Virus transmission. Avoid travel to areas with active Zika Virus outbreaks.

Travellers with a pregnant partner: Practice safe sex for the duration of the pregnancy after returning from an area with Zika Virus transmission.

Travellers considering pregnancy: After visiting an area at risk of Zika Virus transmission, men should wait 3 months and women should wait 2 months before trying to conceive. If both partners travelled together, they should wait 3 months.

Practice safe sex or abstinence even if you or your partner do not have symptoms. Most Zika Virus infections are asymptomatic (show no signs or symptoms), but sexual transmission of the virus can still occur.


Information last updated: April 28, 2021.

  • Tesh RB, Solomon T. Japanese Encephalitis, West Nile, and Other Flavivirus Infections. In: Guerrant, R; Walker D; Weller P, eds. Tropical Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. New York: Saunders Elsevier; 2011: 511-514.
  • Wertheim, Heiman; Horby, Peter; Woodall, John, eds. Atlas of Human Infectious Diseases. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell; 2012. 273 p. 
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Zika and Sexual Transmission
  • European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
  • Fit for Travel – NHS: Zika Virus Infection
  • The New England Journal of Medicine - Zika Virus in the Americas - Yet Another Arbovirus Threat
  • Pan American Health Organization -Zika Virus Infection
  • World Health Organization, Zika Virus