According to the latest Department of Health numbers, Big Island’s dengue fever total remains at 107.
In all, 93 isle residents and 14 visitors have been confirmed as being infected with the mosquito-borne virus. The onset of symptoms among people infected on the Big Island ranges from Sept. 11-Nov. 18.
“DOH’s laboratory on Oahu has been receiving dengue fever samples each day and completing testing routinely within 24 hours Monday through Friday,” reads a Hawaii County update sent Friday afternoon. “All confirmed cases to date have recovered or are recovering.”
Meanwhile, the DOH revealed investigating 238 reported potential cases which were excluded “based on test results and/or not meeting case criteria,” reads the Friday afternoon update on the DOH website.
“DOH Vector Control has been performing assessment and taking precautionary actions by spraying at case residences and other areas that have been specifically identified by the investigation as potential areas of interest,” reads the county update. “To date, 167 mosquito abatement sprayings have been conducted since the beginning of the outbreak.”
DOH Environmental Health staff has been supplemented by Hawaii County Parks &Recreation and Public Works, as well as state highways crews. Next week, additional staff from the Department of Accounting and General Services, Hawaii Health Systemps Corp. and University of Hawaii will be trained to further supplement those crews.
As Hawaii County Civil Defense continues to lead the response to the outbreak, three more community information meetings are scheduled to update the public and educate them in ways to avoid infection.
• Monday, Nov. 30, 6 p.m. at the Waimea Middle School Cafeteria.
• Tuesday, Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. at the Kohala High School Cafeteria.
• Thursday, Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. at the Pahoa High School Cafeteria.
The county also reported that in addition to a visit next week from Lyle Petersen, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, the island also will welcome a CDC entomologist and technician, who will arrive to provide consultation and assistance on mosquito surveillance strategies.
For additional information, go to health.hawaii.gov or call the Department of Health at 974-6001.
Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune
-herald.com.
