Photo: Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness
by Kristen Ku
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Aug. 17, 2023
In the wake of the recent announcement of a rise in active COVID-19 cases by the Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW), Dr. Melissa Diaz Musa, there has been a surge in misinformation about the virus variant in circulation.
Dr. Musa, in a briefing with reporters, had indicated that an Omicron variant is currently in circulation. She noted, however, “At this time, there are many viruses circulating, so it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s Covid.”
However, within days, false information began to spread on social media platforms, notably on WhatsApp. Messages claiming the emergence of a “COVID-Omicron XBB” variant alarmed citizens, particularly due to its alleged unique symptoms.
The message falsely claimed, “Everyone is advised to wear a mask because the new COVID-Omicron XBB variant coronavirus is different, deadly, and not easily detected.” Symptoms erroneously listed included the absence of cough and fever, but included joint pains, headaches, neck and upper back pain, pneumonia, and a general loss of appetite.
In response, the MoHW swiftly released a statement on August 15 in which it told the public, “The Ministry of Health & Wellness (MoHW) is aware of a WhatsApp message in circulation concerning a new COVID-19 variant, ‘COVID-Omicron XBB’. This message did not originate from the MoHW, nor is it endorsed by the ministry.”
It further cautioned the public to rely only on verified official sources for health-related news. “The MoHW urges the public to disregard the WhatsApp message and not share it or any information not verified by an official source. The public is reminded that the MoHW is the official source of health information on behalf of the Government of Belize,” the Health Ministry noted in the statement.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Kevin Bernard also spoke on the issue. He emphasized the importance of discerning credible advisories: “Any advisory health related comes from the Ministry of Health. No one else. Once it comes out from any fake WhatsApp messages, those are not real if it does not come with the letterhead or on the website, or on the social media page of the Ministry of Health,” he pointed out.
While Belize has not reported the presence of this new variant, it has been emerging in the U.S. The specific strain, known as XXB1.5, has shown increased transmissibility due to certain mutations.
Furthermore, the XXB1.5 has spawned another variant named XBB.1.16, a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant.
According to the Hindustan Times, this sub-lineage appears to be more transmissible and can bypass some natural or vaccine-induced immunity, thus causing infections in patients with pre-existing natural or vaccine-induced immunity.
Regarding the potential for new vaccines, Dr. Fidel Cuellar, Deputy Director of Public Health and Wellness, remarked, “It depends on Belize. If Belize practices social responsibility – hand washing, if you’re sick you wear your mask, you stay home, etc. – hopefully, we don’t have to get to that. But if we do see that there’s an uptick in this particular variant, measures would have to then be taken to protect public health and public safety. Hopefully, we don’t get to that point.”