Search Here

Health authorities in Hawaii recently confirmed 182 reported cases of dengue fever which include 164 residents and 18 visitors.

 Local health officials warned, however, that the numbers might go up if new reported cases are confirmed by authorities.

According to Hawaii 24/7 News, two of the 182 confirmed cases are considered very recent and potentially contagious for mosquitoes. The rest are deemed non-infectious by the health department.

In a report by Hawaiian News, 708 potential cases were registered last Friday for manifesting dengue-like symptoms but had been officially discarded after yielding negative test results.

Previous outbreak was reported back in 2001 with 122 confirmed cases. But with recent upsurge in the tropical state, the current number of infected patients is now the largest since Hawaii officially became part of the United States.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease which includes symptoms such as extremely high fever, headaches, joint and muscle pains, and skin rashes. Transmission of the virus can only occur from an infected patient to another by mosquitoes.

To avert further cases of dengue in the across the Hawaiian Islands, health officials alongside Civil Defense regularly carried out meticulous inspection, spraying and treatments in mosquito-laden areas where cases are particularly high.

So far, no new cases are reported since Christmas.

The good news is that that outbreak stopped without any intervention by the health department or anybody," remarked Richard Creagan, a legislator in Hawaii as mentioned by UPI.

But health experts remind the public to remain on constant alert. While previously infected people develop partial immunity, risks still remain especially if there's an outbreak of a new strain of dengue virus.

"Frankly, anyone who gets dengue infection, whether it's your first time, second time, third time, is at risk of severe dengue. Especially with people with underlying medical conditions ... for instance a pregnant woman, could be more at risk for severe dengue," said Sarah Park of Hawaii State Health Department as quoted saying by Civil Beat.