As a precaution, the Waipio Valley Access Road and valley area has been closed to all traffic effective 2:30 p.m. January 13, 2016 and access will be limited to valley residents only. This restricted access will remain until further notice.
As of 1 p.m. today (Jan 22) the Department of Health reported three new confirmed cases of Dengue Fever. The total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the outbreak rises to 233. These cases include 211 residents and 22 visitors. Currently there are three potentially infectious individuals.
Dengue Fever is a virus that is transmitted from an infected person to a mosquito, which can then infect another person. Dengue fever cannot be spread directly from person to person.
Symptoms of dengue include a high fever, intense headache and joint pain, and rash on the arms. If you suspect you may have dengue, contact your health care provider and remain indoors to prevent the possibility of being bitten and infecting mosquitoes.
The Department of Health is spraying and treating areas connected to confirmed cases to reduce mosquito populations. In addition, Civil Defense teams are inspecting areas of high mosquito presence reported by the community. If teams visit your home while you are away, they will leave a note – please follow the instructions on the note to contact the appropriate agency.
While these efforts lower risk by reducing mosquito populations, the most effective method to reduce the spread of dengue is for everyone to avoid and prevent mosquito bites. Fight The Bite by wearing clothing that minimizes exposed skin, using mosquito repellant, and avoiding activities in areas of high mosquito concentration during the early morning and late afternoon periods when mosquito activity is greatest.
For additional information on Dengue Fever and preventing the spread of Dengue Fever, go to health.hawaii.gov or call the Department of Health at 974-6001., Everyone’s help and assistance with this outbreak is much needed and appreciated.
| As of January 22, 2016: Since the last update, HDOH has identified 3 new cases of dengue fever. Currently, as many as 3 of the confirmed cases to date are potentially infectious to mosquitoes. All others are no longer infectious. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Potentially infectious individuals | 3 | Illness onset 1/12/16 to 1/17/16 |
| Cases no longer infectious | 230 | Illness onset 9/11/15 to 1/11/16 |
| Past and present confirmed cases (Cumulative TOTAL) | 233 | |
Of the confirmed cases, 211 are Hawaii Island residents and 22 are visitors. 190 cases have been adults; 43 have been children (less than 18 years of age). Onset of illness has ranged between 9/11/15 – 1/17/16.
As of today, a total of 977 reported potential cases have been excluded based on test results and/or not meeting case criteria
Hawaii State Department of Health continues to routinely monitor for cases of imported dengue infection on ALL islands and will continue to have Vector Control perform mosquito site assessments and abatement as needed. Since the beginning of our current investigation on Hawaii island, seven imported dengue fever cases have been confirmed (five on Oahu, one on Maui, and one on Hawaii), and one imported chikungunya case (on Hawaii) has been confirmed. These cases are not associated with the Hawaii island investigation.
- Traveling to the Big Island?
- Mosquito Bite Prevention for Travelers
- Tips by North Hawaii Community Hospital on recognizing the onset of dengue fever
- CDC information including their recommended mosquito repellents
- Choosing and using insect repellents
- Hawaii State Department of Health information site on the Dengue Fever 2015 outbreak.
- Fight the Bite Fact Sheet
- Fight the Bite FlyerÂ
- Frequently Asked Questions (11/13/2015)
- Letter to Hawaii Island Residents and Visitors
- Bug Off! Using Mosquito Repellants
- Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites (11â€x17â€)
- Community Information Meeting in Spanish and English
Call Aloha United Way 2-1-1 for general information about dengue fever and the current Big Island dengue investigation.
To report a suspect case, contact:
On the Big Island: 808-974-6001 (East Hawaii) or 808-322-4880 (West Hawaii)
On other islands: DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division at 808-586-4586.
To report mosquito concerns, contact:
On the Big Island: 808-974-6001 (East Hawaii) or 808-322-4880 (West Hawaii)
On Oahu: 808-586-8021, on Maui: 808-873-3560, on Kauai: 808-241-3306
If you are ill and are worried that you might have dengue fever, contact your healthcare provider.
Clinicians: for updates go to http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/updates-and-resources-for-clinicians/
Weekly sessions will be held every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the State Office Building, Rooms A, B, and C located at 75 Aupuni St. in Hilo, and at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Mayor’s Conference Room located at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. in Kailua-Kona. Beginning Jan. 19, weekly sessions will be held every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at Yano Hall located at 82-6165 Mamalahoa Hwy. in Captain Cook. These sessions are open to the public and scheduled to continue through February. Contact the Department of Health Hawaii District Health Office at 974-6001 for more information.
Schematic depiction of the symptoms of dengue fever
DLNR closes Muliwai Trail and Waimanu Valley campground after Waipio Valley is closed as Dengue Fever precaution
HILO — The Department of Land and Natural Resources has closed the Muliwai hiking trail on the far cliff side of Waipio Valley and its Waimanu Valley campground, following the closure of Waipio valley access road on Wednesday to residents only by Hawaii County officials following confirmation of two cases of dengue in Waipio residents. Muliwai trail and Waimanu Valley can only be accessed via Waipio valley. Campers with existing permits will be contacted by DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife. No new permits will be issued until further notice.
As a precaution to prevent the spread of dengue fever, the Waipio Valley Access Road and valley area was been closed to all traffic yesterday afternoon. Access will be limited to valley residents only. This restricted access will remain closed for 8-12 weeks after no new cases are diagnosed in the area by health officials.
Dengue is a virus that is transmitted from an infected person to a mosquito, which can then infect another person. Dengue fever cannot be spread directly from person to person. Of the 215 confirmed cases, 2 are recent and could be in the stage of their illness in which they can infect mosquitoes.
Symptoms of dengue include a high fever, intense headache and joint pain, and rash on the arms. If you suspect you may have dengue, contact your health care provider and remain indoors to prevent the possibility of being bitten and infecting mosquitoes.
For further information about the January 13, 2016 Waipio closure go to the Hawaii County Civil Defense website http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts
For additional information on dengue and preventing the spread, go to health.hawaii.gov or call the Department of Health at 974-6001. Everyone’s help and assistance with this outbreak is much needed and appreciated.
could we get a second opinion on the way that we are approaching this matter? The present person is against the helicopters spraying and feels that giving out fight the bite T- shirts will help us. We need some experienced people to offer a second opinion before its too late
Yes, 3 more cases were reported on Friday, Jan 22, for a total of 233. But nothing was updated Friday on Hawaii County’s “Alerts” page at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/.
The page’s hot-linked headline still says “Dengue Fever Information Update for Thursday January 21st at 1:30 PM,” right above the headline that was left there by mistake on the previous day (“This is a Dengue Fever information update for Wednesday January 20th at 1:10PM”).
In the text itself, Thursday’s count of 230 remains. And the latest case-location map is from a week ago Friday, 1/15/16, showing 223 cases — this despite the fact that the page promises: “This map will be updated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with location data provided by the State Department of Health.”
There have been *10* new confirmed cases since last Friday. Nevertheless, we’ve received no updated map all week, and no update on the County’s “Alerts” page on Friday, Jan 22 regarding the 3 new cases that were confirmed since Thursday, Jan 21.
Third-world countries do better than this. What’s going on?!
This whole situation is being handled less than third worldish. Everywhere else major spraying is being done and the public is more informed on what and where. Showing a map over a week old of where infections are isn’t helping keep people safe. Kind of interesting that it shows the Kohala coast has no cases! Where has Billy K. and Gov. what’s his name been through all of this? Tourism is really going to die if this continues. More and more people are learning about this ( sorry big hotels ) and not coming and spending money.