The Hawaii State Department of Health has confirmed the first imported case of Zika virus in Hawaii this year. ADVERTISING The Hawaii State Department of Health has confirmed the first imported case of Zika virus in Hawaii this year. The
The Hawaii State Department of Health has confirmed the first imported case of Zika virus in Hawaii this year.
The individual had a history of travel in the Pacific and has since recovered and is no longer infectious, according to a Thursday afternoon statement from the DOH.
The case was confirmed this week by the department’s State Laboratories Division. The department conducted an investigation of the case and has determined there is no health risk to the public.
To protect the privacy of the individual, no other information will be made available about the case, the DOH said.
“Because people frequently travel to areas abroad where Zika virus is present, we can expect that we may see more imported cases in the coming months,” said state Health Director Dr. Virginia Pressler.
“With Zika, and our current dengue outbreak, it’s important for everyone in the state to reduce mosquito breeding areas by getting rid of standing water, and use repellent or protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites.”
The department sent an advisory to health-care providers statewide on Feb. 17, updating them on clinical guidance for the Zika virus and urging them to be aware of areas abroad where the virus is circulating.
In 2015, the Department of Health reported four imported cases of Zika in the state.
For information on travel guidance go to wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information.
For information on symptoms, diagnosis and treatment go to: www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/index.html.
