The state Department of Health reported Monday the number of confirmed cases of dengue fever on Hawaii Island now stands at 112. ADVERTISING The state Department of Health reported Monday the number of confirmed cases of dengue fever on Hawaii
The state Department of Health reported Monday the number of confirmed cases of dengue fever on Hawaii Island now stands at 112.
A Monday afternoon update tallied 98 Hawaii Island residents and 14 visitors who had been infected with the mosquito-borne virus.
So far, 262 reported potential cases have been excluded based on test results and/or not meeting case criteria.
There have been no cases of dengue fever so far on Oahu, Maui or Kauai, said DOH director Virginia Pressler.
“Although there is no dengue on Oahu, Kauai and Maui, we all feel for our brothers and sisters,” Pressler said. “My family all lives on Hawaii Island. We are doing everything we can collectively.”
According to the Monday update from DOH, the department continues to routinely monitor for cases of the infection on all islands and will continue to have state Vector Control do mosquito site assessments and abatement as needed.
“Since the beginning of our current investigation on Hawaii Island, one imported dengue fever case has been confirmed (on Oahu),” the update reads. “This case is not associated with the Hawaii Island investigation.”
The onset of symptoms ranged from Sept. 11 to Nov. 20, according to a county update sent late Monday afternoon.
“To date, 194 mosquito abatement sprayings have been conducted since the beginning of the outbreak,” the county update reads.
County residents have submitted a total of 50 complaints of possible mosquito habitats that are being addressed by Civil Defense and its partners.
For more information, visit http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/dengue-outbreak-2015/.
Officials continue to ask residents to remove standing water where mosquitoes breed and dump excess water out of potted plants or toys in the yard. Taking these precautions could help reduce the chances of the virus spreading to other islands, they said.
Those infected with dengue fever on Hawaii Island largely have recovered, Pressler said.
“The most important thing they can do is to prevent themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes,” she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
