‘NOTHING’S CHANGED’; Tourism officials say travelers shouldn’t be alarmed by emergency declaration because of dengue outbreak

Tourism officials worked Tuesday to counteract negative impacts to the visitor industry following Monday’s declaration of a state of emergency in Hawaii County because of the ongoing dengue fever outbreak.

“Travelers should not be alarmed by the County of Hawaii’s state of emergency declaration for Hawaii Island or allow this decision to alter their travel plans to any of the Hawaiian Islands,” Hawaii Tourism Authority President George D. Szigeti said in a Tuesday afternoon statement. “This declaration is a good strategic move by the County of Hawaii, as it will provide government officials with additional funding and resources to eliminate dengue fever from Hawaii Island.”

State health officials reported Tuesday one additional confirmed case of the mosquito-borne disease, bringing the outbreak total to 252. Of those infected, only 24 were visitors, Szigeti pointed out.

“The rate of confirmed cases has been declining since January, and, currently, only one case is considered infectious,” he said. “Moreover, most of the dengue fever cases on Hawaii Island have been confined to the rural southwestern region. No locally acquired cases of dengue fever have been found on any other island of Hawaii.

“It’s important to note that no health organization has advised against traveling to the Hawaiian Islands at any time since the outbreak of dengue fever began on Hawaii Island. Travelers should also take note that Hawaii Gov. David Ige has chosen not to issue a statewide emergency proclamation since none of the conditions for doing so have been realized.”

Ross Birch, executive director of the Big Island Visitors Bureau, said Tuesday that his office had begun receiving word from some hoteliers and other partners concerned about the outbreak and wanting to know more about the situation on the island.

“When it hits the national news, our partners in the industry, they look at that a little bit. Potential (tour) groups get alarmed. This kind of messaging (like Tuesday’s statement from the HTA) goes out to make sure (travelers) understand that nothing’s changed. (The emergency declaration is) just a precautionary move,” he said. “We definitely back everything both the mayor and the governor have done. We just go with the flow, and make sure the most accurate information is out there.”

Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.