The Hawaii Department of Health has identified a new travel-related dengue case on Oahu — this time involving a visitor.
Since it involves a non-resident, DOH is not including this case in Hawaii’s official count, which remains at five statewide. The affected individual was exposed to the virus while traveling in a region where dengue is common.
“Due to specifics of this case, the expected risk of local transmission is low,” said DOH in a news release. “The visitor is no longer in Hawaii and at time of departure was no longer considered to be infectious as related to human-to-mosquito transmission.”
Teams have conducted inspections, provided outreach materials and implemented mosquito control measures in the affected area, which DOH did not disclose.
DOH said the case is a good reminder for the public to remove standing water to help reduce the mosquito population, and thereby reduce the potential risk of local transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
Dengue — a viral illness spread through mosquito bites — is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, including the tropical and subtropical areas of Central and South America; Asia; the Middle East; Africa; Puerto Rico; American Samoa, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.
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While Hawaii is home to Aedes mosquitoes, which can carry dengue, the disease is not endemic in the state.
Mosquitoes, however, only need small amounts of standing water to breed.
Common breeding sites include buckets, water-catching plants such as bromeliads, small containers, planters, rain barrels and even cups left outside. To prevent standing water from collecting around the home, pour out containers to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
If symptoms of dengue — such as fever, nausea, vomiting, rash and body aches — develop within two weeks of return from dengue-affected areas, residents should seek medical evaluation.
Anyone who suspects a dengue infection should call the Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586.