Categorized | Dengue Fever, Health

Confirmed Dengue Fever cases now 117, info meeting tonight in Kohala

The State Department of Health continues to work with other state and county agencies on the issue of the Dengue Fever outbreak. As of 1 p.m. Tuesday (Dec 1) the Department of Health has reported 117 confirmed cases originating on Hawaii Island. These cases include 103 residents and 14 visitors.

Dengue fever is a virus that is transmitted or spread by infected mosquitoes and not directly from person to person. Dengue Fever is not endemic or common to Hawaii. It was likely introduced by a person who contracted the virus in another area of the world and became infectious while in Hawaii.

Because dengue fever is only transmitted by mosquitoes, the Department of Health is spraying and treating areas with high mosquito presence and around confirmed cases.

Although spraying and treatment of areas is ongoing, the most effective method to reduce the spread and eliminate Dengue is to fight the bite. Minimize or prevent the possibility of being bitten by an infected mosquito by wearing clothing that minimizes exposed skin, use mosquito repellant and avoid activities in areas of high mosquito concentration during the early morning and late afternoon periods when mosquito activity is greatest.

In addition, persons feeling ill and having a fever should remain indoors to prevent the possibility of being bitten and infecting mosquitoes.

Community Information Meetings on the Dengue outbreak will be conducted at the following locations:

The community is encouraged to attend these meetings to receive information on the ongoing outbreak.

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.

Confirmed Dengue Fever Cases as of December 1, 2015
Hawaii Island Residents103
Visitors14
Confirmed cases, TOTAL117

Of the confirmed cases, 103 are Hawaii residents and 14 are visitors with 88 cases adults; 29 have been children (less than 18 years of age). Onset of illness has ranged between 9/11/15 – 11/20/15.

As of Tuesday (Dec 1), a total of 277 reported potential cases have been excluded based on test results and/or not meeting case criteria.

HDOH 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, one imported dengue fever case has been confirmed (on Oahu). This case is not associated with the Hawaii island investigation.

Dengue Fever outbreak map by Hawaii County Civil Defense Friday, November 30, 2015.

Dengue Fever outbreak map by Hawaii County Civil Defense Friday, November 30, 2015.

Map released Wednesday (Nov 25) by the Hawaii State Department of Health.

Map released Wednesday (Nov 25) by the Hawaii State Department of Health.

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

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