Confirmed Big Island Dengue Cases Rise to 190

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Since the last update on Dec. 24, the Hawai‘i Department of Health reports that the number of confirmed dengue cases has risen from 176 to 190 as of Dec. 30, 2015.

Currently, as many as four of the confirmed cases to date are potentially infectious to mosquitoes. All others are no longer infectious.

The four potentially infectious individuals experienced illness onset between Dec. 21 and 26, 2015.

The 186 cases no longer infectious experienced illness onset between Sept. 11 and Dec. 20, 2015.

Of the 190 past and present confirmed cases, 172 are Hawai‘i Island residents and 18 are visitors;
153 cases have been adults; 37 have been children.

As of today, a total of 736 reported potential cases have been excluded based on test results and/or not meeting case criteria.

Although dengue is not endemic to Hawai‘i, 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 O‘ahu.

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 HDOH’s current investigation on Hawai‘i island, two imported dengue fever cases have been confirmed (one on O‘ahu and one on Hawai‘i Islad), and one imported chikungunya case (an illness caused by the chikungunya virus, which is also transmitted by mosquitoes) on Hawai‘i Island has been confirmed. These cases are not associated with the Hawaii island investigation.

Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, joint or muscle pain, headache or pain behind the eyes, and rash.

Those interested in obtaining general information about the current Big Island dengue fever investigation should call 2-1-1 and talk with Aloha United Way.

Anyone who thinks they may have contracted dengue fever on the Big Island should call 933-0912 if they are located in East Hawai‘i or 322-4877 in West Hawai‘i. If an individual is currently ill and concerned that they may have contracted dengue fever, they should contact their primary care physician.

Mosquito concerns should be reported to 974-6010 in East Hawai‘i or 322-1513 in West Hawai‘i.

For more information, visit the DOH website.