Hawaii 24/7 will be broadcasting the 6 p.m. Monday (Nov 16) Dengue Fever community information meeting live tonight from Hilo High School.
Visit our live broadcast page at https://hawaii247.com/live/

The State Department of Health continues to work with other state and county agencies on the issue of the Dengue Fever outbreak. As of 12 noon today (Nov 16) the Department of Health has reported 56 confirmed cases originating on Hawaii Island. These cases include 46 residents and 10 visitors.

Dengue fever is a virus that is transmitted or spread by infected mosquitoes and not directly from person to person. Dengue Fever is not endemic or common to Hawaii. It was likely introduced by a person who contracted the virus in another area of the world and became infectious while in Hawaii.

Because dengue fever is only transmitted by mosquitoes, the Department of Health is spraying and treating areas with high mosquito presence and confirmed cases. The Department of Health will be conducting spraying at various locations in the South Kona.

Although spraying and treatment of areas is ongoing, the most effective method to reduce the spread and possible elimination of Dengue is to minimize or prevent the possibility of being bitten by an infected mosquito by wearing clothing that minimizes exposed skin, using mosquito repellant and avoiding activities in areas of high mosquito concentration during the early morning and late afternoon periods when mosquito activity is greatest.

In addition, persons feeling ill and having a fever should remain indoors to prevent the possibility of being bitten and infecting mosquitoes.

Public Information Meetings on Dengue Fever will be held at the following locations:

• Tonight Monday November 16th at the Hilo High Cafeteria
• Tuesday November 17th at the Keaau High Cafeteria

All meetings will begin at 6 p.m. each evening and the community is encouraged to attend.

For additional information on Dengue Fever and preventing the spread of Dengue Fever, go to health.hawaii.gov or call the Department of Health at 974-6001., Everyone’s help and assistance with this outbreak is much needed and appreciated.

Of the confirmed cases, 46 are Hawaii residents and 10 are visitors.
41 cases have been adults; 15 have been children (less than 18 years of age). The onset of illness has ranged between September 11, 2015 – November 7, 2015.

For additional information on dengue fever and preventing the spread of the dengue fever please go to the Hawaii State Department of Health website at health.hawaii.gov or call the Department of Health at (808) 974-4000 extension 68362.

• Tips by North Hawaii Community Hospital on recognizing the onset of dengue fever
• Hawaii State Department of Health information site on the Dengue Fever 2015 outbreak.

Note that the total number of area visits is higher than the confirmed cases. The numbers indicate how many confirmed people visited each area.

Schematic depiction of the symptoms of dengue fever