Six New Cases of Dengue Confirmed on Big Island

Big Island dengue map, Dec. 23, 2015.

Since the last update on Dec. 22, 2015, the Hawai‘i Department of Health has identified six new cases of dengue fever, bringing the cumulative total of past and present confirmed cases to 176.

As of Dec. 23, as many as eight of the confirmed cases to date are potentially infectious to mosquitoes. The eight potentially infectious individuals have been identified with Illness onset between Dec. 13 and 17.

All others are no longer infectious.

Of the 176 total confirmed cases, 158 are Hawai‘i Island residents and 18 are visitors. Adults infected total 140; 36 have been children have been infected.

Illness onset between Sept. 11 and Dec. 11 were 168 which are no longer infectious.

As of today, a total of 687 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.