Travel-related dengue case prompts mosquito control, preventative measures

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health has identified the first travel-related dengue virus case in the state this year on Maui.

According to the Department of Health, the affected individual was exposed to the virus while traveling in a region where dengue is common. Teams have been deployed to conduct inspections and implement mosquito control measures in the affected area.

Dengue virus is transmitted from an infected person to a mosquito and then to another person. While Hawaiʻi is home to the mosquitoes that can carry dengue, the disease is not endemic in the state, and cases are currently limited to travelers.

Dengue is a year-round risk in the tropical and subtropical areas of Central and South America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and several Pacific Islands such as American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Many popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, are also affected.

Some countries are reporting higher-than-usual numbers of dengue cases, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cook Islands, Sāmoa, Vietnam, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Mali, Mauritania, and Sudan.

Travelers should review up-to-date, country-specific travel information for guidance on dengue risk and prevention measures at least four to six weeks before traveling. Anyone who plans to travel to or has recently visited an area with dengue risk is vulnerable to infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises travelers to take standard precautions when visiting such areas. This includes using an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors, and sleeping in air-conditioned rooms, rooms with window screens, or under insecticide-treated bed nets.

Travelers returning from dengue-endemic areas should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks. If dengue symptoms develop within two weeks of return, travelers should seek medical evaluation.

Symptoms of dengue can range from mild to severe and include fever, nausea, vomiting, rash, and body aches. Symptoms typically last two to seven days, and while severe illness can occur, most people recover within a week.

Individuals who have recently traveled and are experiencing these symptoms should contact their health care provider. Health care providers and individuals who suspect a possible dengue infection are advised to call the disease reporting line at 808-586-4586.

Avoiding mosquito bites is the best practice to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses. Mosquito bite prevention includes wearing light-colored, long-sleeved tops and long pants, using insect repellent, and keeping windows or doors closed or covered with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your living quarters.

Mosquitoes need only small amounts of standing water to breed. Common breeding sites include buckets, water-catching plants such as bromeliads, small containers, planters, rain barrels, and even cups left outside. Prevent standing water from collecting around the home and workplace by pouring out containers to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.

In areas with suspected or confirmed dengue cases, Department of Health personnel from the Vector Control Branch conduct inspections and mosquito-reduction activities. Reducing mosquito populations lowers the risk of dengue transmission to others. In areas without reported dengue cases, eliminating mosquito breeding sites around the home is a helpful preventive measure.

For more information, visit the Disease Outbreak Control Division and Vector Control Branch websites.