1:30 p.m. Hawaii County Civil Defense Dengue Fever audio update

The Waipio Valley Lookout will be closed Friday, (Feb 12) to allow Department of Health personnel to proactively spray the area. The closure will begin at 8 a.m. and weather permitting will re-open at noon.

As of 1 p.m. Thursday (Feb 11) the Department of Health reported no new confirmed cases of Dengue Fever. The total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the outbreak rises to 254. These cases include 230 residents and 24 visitors. Currently there are two potentially infectious individuals.

Dengue Fever is a virus that is transmitted from an infected person to a mosquito, which can then infect another person. Dengue fever cannot be spread directly from person to person.

Symptoms of dengue include a high fever, intense headache and joint pain, and rash on the arms. If you suspect you may have dengue, contact your health care provider and remain indoors to prevent the possibility of being bitten and infecting mosquitoes.

The Department of Health is spraying and treating areas connected to confirmed cases to reduce mosquito populations. In addition, Civil Defense teams are inspecting areas of high mosquito presence reported by the community. If teams visit your home while you are away, they will leave a note – please follow the instructions on the note to contact the appropriate agency.

While these efforts lower risk by reducing mosquito populations, the most effective method to reduce the spread of dengue is for everyone to avoid and prevent mosquito bites. Fight The Bite 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.

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.

As of February 11, 2016: Since the last update, HDOH has identified 2 new cases of dengue fever. Currently, as many as 2 of the confirmed cases to date are potentially infectious to mosquitoes. All others are no longer infectious. Potentially infectious individuals 2 Illness onset 2/1/16 to 2/6/16 Cases no longer infectious 252 Illness onset 9/11/15 to 1/30/16 Past and present confirmed cases (Cumulative TOTAL) 254

Of the confirmed cases, 230 are Hawaii Island residents and 24 are visitors. 208 cases have been adults; 46 have been children (less than 18 years of age). Onset of illness has ranged between 9/11/15 – 2/6/16.

As of Thursday (Feb 11), a total of 1177 reported potential cases have been excluded based on test results and/or not meeting case criteria

The Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) is investigating a cluster of locally-acquired cases of dengue fever on Hawaii Island (the Big 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. The Big Island and the rest of Hawaii remain safe destinations for visitors and residents.

Call Aloha United Way 2-1-1 for general information about dengue fever and the current Big Island dengue investigation.

To report a suspect case, contact:

On the Big Island: 808-974-6001 (East Hawaii) or 808-322-4880 (West Hawaii)

On other islands: DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division at 808-586-4586.

To report mosquito concerns, contact:

On the Big Island: 808-974-6001 (East Hawaii) or 808-322-4880 (West Hawaii)

On Oahu: 808-586-8021, on Maui: 808-873-3560, on Kauai: 808-241-3306

If you are ill and are worried that you might have dengue fever, contact your healthcare provider.

Clinicians: for updates go to health.hawaii.gov/docd/updates…

DLNR closes Muliwai Trail and Waimanu Valley campground after Waipio Valley is closed as Dengue Fever precaution HILO — The Department of Land and Natural Resources has closed the Muliwai hiking trail on the far cliff side of Waipio Valley and its Waimanu Valley campground, following the closure of Waipio valley access road on Wednesday to residents only by Hawaii County officials following confirmation of two cases of dengue in Waipio residents. Muliwai trail and Waimanu Valley can only be accessed via Waipio valley. Campers with existing permits will be contacted by DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife. No new permits will be issued until further notice. As a precaution to prevent the spread of dengue fever, the Waipio Valley Access Road and valley area was been closed to all traffic yesterday afternoon. Access will be limited to valley residents only. This restricted access will remain closed for 8-12 weeks after no new cases are diagnosed in the area by health officials. Dengue is a virus that is transmitted from an infected person to a mosquito, which can then infect another person. Dengue fever cannot be spread directly from person to person. Of the 215 confirmed cases, 2 are recent and could be in the stage of their illness in which they can infect mosquitoes. Symptoms of dengue include a high fever, intense headache and joint pain, and rash on the arms. If you suspect you may have dengue, contact your health care provider and remain indoors to prevent the possibility of being bitten and infecting mosquitoes. For further information about the January 13, 2016 Waipio closure go to the Hawaii County Civil Defense website www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-al… For additional information on dengue and preventing the spread, 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.

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