Now, the total number of confirmed cases of dengue on Hawaii Island has reached to 11 after one more case was confirmed by the state Department of Health. As per the officials, the disease has been acquired locally.

Number of cases is on rise. Therefore, the state Department of Health officials want to pass on a message to the residents that they should take all the steps needed to prevent misquito bites.

Dr. Melissa Viray, deputy state epidemiologist, said, “Making sure that they don’t have any standing water around their homes, their screens are intact, if they are going out and about, that they properly use insect repellent”.

Honaunau, Hookena, and South Kona are the three main areas on the Big Island, where there are maximum chances to have dengue. It is expected that the number of cases will increase. After two cases of dengue were confirmed, the department has passed on a medical advisory for Hawaii County clinicians with an aim to make them alert and urged them to report suspected dengue cases.

State epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said that dengue is not common to Hawaii, but matter of concern is that there is a mosquito species there that can transmit the disease. According to health officials, the outbreak might have started in September.

Now, one of the main tasks for health officials is to determine the level of exposure risk. It is important to identify those having the disease because dengue can affect bigger groups.

Dengue’s symptoms start within a week after a bite from an infected mosquito. Its symptoms include fever, joint or muscle pains, headache or pain behind the eyes and rash. Those having it should contact their health provider as soon as possible.