Please note that there is a case being investigated currently in North Kohala, but it is not yet confirmed as Dengue.
This is a Dengue Fever information update for Tuesday December 22nd at 1:15 PM.
The State Department of Health continues to work with other state and county agencies to control the dengue outbreak. As of 1:00 today the Department of Health reported three additional confirmed cases since yesterday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the outbreak to 170. These cases include 152 residents and 18 visitors.
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 167 confirmed cases, 3 are currently 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.
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 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.
Effective this week, updates to the dengue outbreak will be limited to three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Below is a map that depicts case locations as of 12/22/2015.
- This map will be updated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with location data provided by the State Department of Health. Locations may represent multiple cases.
- For the most up to date case counts and other information from the Department of Health, visit their website at health.hawaii.gov.
- Surveying and spraying is being conducted at the residences of all suspect and confirmed cases, in addition to proactive spraying at nearby public facilities.
- This map should not be used to exclude any areas of the island from proactive mosquito control measures. All residents islandwide are encouraged to Fight The Bite by reducing mosquito breeding grounds and protecting themselves from mosquito bites.
