Malaria in Belize
17 Apr 2025
On 15 April 2025, the Government of Belize reported locally acquired cases of malaria in Santa Elena town and Cristo Rey village in Cayo District (in the West, close to the border with Guatemala).
These cases are the first in Belize in over six years (in 2023 the WHO declared Belize malaria free).
Advice for Travellers
Malaria is not usually present in Belize, although is occasionally introduced from other countries.
If you are travelling to any part of Belize, you should:
- understand your risk of malaria
- know how to protect yourself against mosquito bites at all times during your trip, to help prevent malaria and other mosquito-borne infections
- where possible, reduce the number of mosquitoes in and around your accommodation.
If you develop a high temperature (fever) during your trip, or after you return home from an area where malaria may be present, seek medical advice as soon as possible and tell the doctor about your recent travel history.
See the fitfortravel malaria section for further information. Monitor the Belize country page and the news section for updates.