Health division stories new travel-related dengue case on Oahu

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – State officers have recognized and reported a brand new travel-related dengue virus case.

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) stated the customer is a nonresident and isn’t included within the state’s official rely, which stays at 5 instances statewide.

The division has deployed groups to conduct inspections, present outreach supplies, and implement mosquito management measures within the affected space.

DOH stated the affected individual was uncovered whereas touring in a area the place dengue is widespread. The customer is now not in Hawaii and is now not thought-about to be infectious as associated to human-to-mosquito transmission.

Health officers stated that the anticipated danger of native transmission is low.

DOH is urging residents and vacationers to take precautions to keep away from mosquito bites, together with utilizing insect repellent, carrying lengthy sleeves and eliminating standing water the place mosquitoes can breed.

Dengue virus is transmitted from an contaminated individual to a mosquito after which to a different individual. While Hawaii is dwelling to the mosquitoes that may carry dengue, the illness is just not endemic (established) within the state — and instances are at the moment restricted to vacationers.

Dengue is a year-round danger within the tropical and subtropical areas of Central and South America (together with Brazil and Mexico), Asia (together with the Philippines), the Middle East, Africa and several other Pacific Islands like American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau. Many common vacationer locations within the Caribbean, together with Puerto Rico, are additionally affected.

Some international locations are reporting higher-than-usual numbers of dengue instances, together with the Cook Islands, Samoa, Vietnam, Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, Maldives, Mali, New Caledonia, Timor-Leste and Tonga. Travelers ought to assessment up-to-date, country-specific journey data for steerage on dengue danger and prevention measures, not less than 4 to 6 weeks earlier than touring.

Anyone who plans to journey to or has lately visited an space with dengue danger is weak to an infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises vacationers to take commonplace precautions when visiting such areas. This contains utilizing an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent, carrying long-sleeved shirts and lengthy pants outdoor and sleeping in air-conditioned rooms, rooms with window screens, or underneath insecticide-treated bed nets.

Travelers getting back from dengue-endemic areas ought to take precautions to forestall mosquito bites for 3 weeks. If dengue signs develop inside two weeks of return, vacationers ought to search medical analysis.

Symptoms of dengue can vary from delicate to extreme and embody fever, nausea, vomiting, rash and physique aches. Symptoms sometimes final two to seven days and whereas extreme sickness can happen, most individuals recuperate inside every week. Individuals who’ve lately traveled and are experiencing these signs ought to contact their healthcare supplier. Healthcare suppliers and people who suspect a dengue an infection are suggested to name the Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586.

In areas with suspected or confirmed dengue instances, DOH personnel from the Vector Control Branch (VCB) conduct inspections and mosquito-reduction actions. Reducing mosquito populations lowers the chance of dengue transmission to others. In areas with out reported dengue instances, eliminating mosquito breeding websites across the house is a useful safety measure.

For extra data, go to the Disease Outbreak Control Division (DOCD) and Vector Control Branch (VCB) web sites.