The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is on high alert as a recent traveler brought back a rather unwelcome souvenir—a case of dengue virus, confirmed on Oʻahu. This marks the 12th case of the year, with the majority emerging on Oʻahu and one outlier on Maui. The affected individual, having trekked in a dengue-friendly region, has no connection to previous cases in the state, as stated in yesterday's report by the DOH.
With the dengue situation at hand, the DOH is not wasting any time, sending out teams to inspect and conduct mosquito-busting activities in the area of the latest case. The public are once again reminded of the best practices to prevent local transmission: slather on EPA-registered repellent, dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors, and choose accommodations that are well-defended against these pesky bloodsuckers.
It's a big world with lots of hotspots for dengue, including popular jaunts in Central and South America, large swathes of Asia, parts of the Middle East, Africa, and some Pacific Islands—hello, American Samoa, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau. The DOH emphasizes that mainlanders in California, Florida, and Texas have also experienced the sting of local transmission, with continuing reports from Florida this year. And in a sobering update, the Philippines has reported a staggering 56% spike in cases compared to last year.
All this dengue discourse isn't just for stats and figures, though. If you've been roaming around in known dengue territories, keep an eye out for the unsavory symptoms within two weeks of your homecoming and get to a healthcare provider if things seem off. Symptoms aren't exactly a walk in the park—think fever, nausea, and those delightful body aches. For those looking to do their part at home, the DOH advises eliminating potential mini mosquito resorts, like planters and buckets with standing water.
If you're hungry for more deets or need a refresher on the whole dengue prevention drill, hit up the Disease Outbreak Control Division (DOCD) and Vector Control Branch (VCB) online.
