Categorized | Dengue Fever, Health

No new Dengue Fever cases Wednesday (April 20)

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The response to the ongoing Dengue Fever outbreak continues. As of 1 p.m. Wednesday (April 20) the State Department of Health had reported no new confirmed cases of dengue fever since yesterday. Everyone should be reminded that this outbreak remains active and is not anticipated to be considered over anytime in the near future. Therefore we are asking for everyone’s help to continue to Fight the Bite. Presently, the total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the outbreak is 263. These cases include 237 residents and 26 visitors.

To prevent mosquito bites, wear clothing that minimizes exposed skin, use mosquito repellent on skin that cannot be covered, and avoid areas of high mosquito concentration during the early morning and late afternoon periods when mosquito activity is greatest.

If you suspect you may have dengue, remain indoors to prevent the possibility of being bitten and infecting mosquitoes, and contact a health care provider. Community health centers are working with the Department of Health to see patients who suspect they may have dengue regardless of ability to pay.

Help to reduce potential mosquito breeding areas around homes and businesses. To support home and business owners in cleaning and removing potential breeding areas, the County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management will be extending its weekend transfer station hours for the entire month of April. All transfer stations island-wide will be opened on both Saturday and Sunday for the month of April from the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Normal transfer station hours will resume during the work week. In addition, the department will be conducting two additional Household Hazardous Waste collections at the follow locations:

  • Saturday April 23rd at the Kailua Kona Transfer Station
  • Saturday April 30th at the Hilo Transfer Station

For more information on both transfer station hours and the household hazardous waste collection please go to the website at www.hawaiizerowaste.org

Everyone’s help and assistance with this outbreak is much needed and appreciated. Please continue to fight the bite and lets all do our part to help end this outbreak.

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.

The DLNR has reopened the Mauliwai Trail and Waimanu Valley campgrounds.

As of April 20, 2016: Since the last update, HDOH has identified no new cases of dengue fever. Currently there are no known potentially infectious individuals to mosquitoes.
Potentially infectious individuals0
Cases no longer infectious263Illness onset 9/11/15 to 3/17/16
Past and present confirmed cases (Cumulative TOTAL)263

Of the confirmed cases, 237 are Hawaii Island residents and 26 are visitors. 217 cases have been adults; 46 have been children (less than 18 years of age). Onset of illness has ranged between 9/11/15 – 3/17/16.

As of Wednesday (April 20), a total of 1629 reported potential cases have been excluded based on test results and/or not meeting case criteria

The Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) is investigating a cluster of locally-acquired cases of dengue fever on Hawaii Island (the Big Island). Dengue is not endemic to Hawaii. However, it is intermittently imported from endemic areas by infected travelers. This is the first cluster of locally-acquired dengue fever since the 2011 outbreak on Oahu. The Big Island and the rest of Hawaii remain safe destinations for visitors and residents.

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/

Schematic depiction of the symptoms of dengue fever

Schematic depiction of the symptoms of dengue fever

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.

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