Health Officials Investigating Dengue Fever Outbreak in Hawaii
The Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) is investigating a cluster of locally-acquired cases of dengue fever on Hawaii Island. Dengue is not endemic to Hawaii. However, it is intermittently imported from endemic areas by infected travelers. This is the first cluster of locally-acquired dengue fever since the 2011 outbreak on Oahu.
As of Dec. 1, 2015, there are 103 cases among Hawaii Island residents and 14 cases among visitors, for a total of 117 confirmed cases. Eighty-eight cases have been adults, 29 have been children under 18 years of age. Onset of illness has ranged between Sept. 11, 2015 and Nov. 20, 2015.
As of today, a total of 277 reported potential cases have been excluded based on test results and/or not meeting case criteria.
For a map of potential areas of infection by mosquito for confirmed dengue fever cases, CLICK HERE.
HDOH continues to routinely monitor for cases of imported dengue infection on all islands and will continue to have Vector Control perform mosquito site assessments and abatement as needed. Since the beginning of the department's current investigation on Hawaii island, one imported dengue fever case has been confirmed (on Oahu). This case is not associated with the Hawaii island investigation.
Source: Hawaii Department of Health
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