Dengue Count Unchanged, One Infectious

An Aedes aegypti mosquito is pictured here. The mosquito is one of two in Hawai’i known to spread the dengue virus. Hawai’i Department of Health photo.

No new cases of dengue fever were added to the collective count on the Big Island over the weekend.

Hawai’i Department of Health officials said Monday that the count remains at 210 cases, with only one individual currently listed as infectious.

The total cases of dengue fever were at 210 on Friday, after increasing by eight cases between Tuesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon.

Since the outbreak began in late October, DOH officials say 190 Big Island residents have been infected with the disease, along with an additional 20 visitors to the island. The total number includes 40 individuals under the age of 18.

An additional 21 individuals have been excluded from the overall dengue count since Friday, bringing the total number of negative cases to 859. Cases have been deemed negative if they lack case criteria and/or have had test results come back negative.

A community meeting has been scheduled for the Miloli’i community. The meeting will be held on Jan. 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Miloli’i Beach Park pavilion. Various departments will be present to discuss the current outbreak and measures to “Fight the Bite.”

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.