Dengue Count Slow Moving, but Rising

The number of confirmed dengue fever cases on the Big Island has seen just a slight bump in total since the beginning of the week.

On Friday, Hawai’i Department of Health officials announced that the case count rose by one since Thursday to 146 confirmed cases.

Numbers throughout the week were slow moving, as Monday’s count of 136 confirmed cases held through Tuesday; and Wednesday’s count of 145 remained through Thursday.

Friday’s confirmed count continued to include 17 visitors and 32 classified as children, with the most recent onset of illness remaining at Dec. 3.

Since Thursday, an additional 42 cases were excluded from the overall dengue count, bringing the number of individuals whose test results came back negative, or who were excluded from the count based on lack of case criteria, to 556.

Testing being conducted by the DOH’s Laboratories Division is being done through two methods, depending on the individual’s illness duration.

Spraying continued throughout the day Friday in South Kona, Hilo, and Puna, according to Hawai’i County Civil Defense.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention personnel remain on island. An entomologist and technician are continuing work in providing consultation and assistance on mosquito surveillance strategies to DOH.

Civil Defense released a new map Friday showing areas of infection, potential cases, and negative cases of dengue fever.

The areas with the highest concentration of confirmed cases, noted in red, are portions of the west coast of the Big Island, from Kailua-Kona down to Milolii, as well as Hilo and Puna, while Naalehu, Ocean View, and Paauilo also have cases confirmed.

Cases currently under investigation, noted in yellow, cover various areas of the island, including Honoka’a, Laupahoehoe, Hilo, Puna, Naalehu, and Kailua-Kona.

Negative case findings are shown on the map in a blue and white color and span throughout the island.

Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, joint or muscle paints, 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’re located in East Hawai’i or 322-4877 in West Hawai’i. If an individual is currently ill and worried 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.