Dengue Fever: Four More Cases Confirmed

Four new cases of dengue fever were reported by the Hawai’i Department of Health on Friday, bringing the total number of individuals infected by dengue fever on the Big Island to 23.

Of the 23 infected individuals, 15 are Big Island residents and eight are visitors to the island.

Two of the cases are pediatric and the other 21 have affected adults. All individuals are reportedly recovering.

Hilo Medical Center officials said Friday morning that one of the overall confirmed cases went through the East Hawai’i Hospital.

A HMC spokesperson told Big Island Now that hospital staff is following DOH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in handling the current dengue fever outbreak.

Kona Community Hospital’s spokesperson was not able to confirm to Big Island Now whether or not the hospital had attended to any confirmed dengue fever cases.

The spokesperson said that the hospital has “had an influx of phone calls from individuals concerned about mosquito bites and symptoms they are experiencing.”

Onset of the current outbreak range between Sept. 15 and Oct. 30.

On Thursday, Big Island Now reported that North Hawai’i Community Hospital had a patient with a potential case of dengue fever.

Other potential cases continue to be investigated by DOH.

Anyone who thinks they may have contracted dengue fever should call DOH’s Disease Investigation Branch at (808) 586-8362 or contact their primary care physician.

For more information, visit the DOH website.