The Hawaii Department of Health on Friday identified the sixth travel-related case of the dengue virus in an Oahu resident who had traveled to a region where dengue is common.
In mid-June, DOH reported a visitor had caught the dengue virus which was not included in the statewide dengue count because the person was a non-resident.
According to a DOH news release, the risk of transmission is low “due to specifics of this case.” However, the agency reminds the public to maintain the standard practice of reducing standing water around to keep mosquitoes from breeding.
Mosquitoes can lay eggs in buckets, water-catching plants, small containers, planters, rain barrels and even cups left outside.
Dengue is not established in the state, according to DOH, but mosquitoes can carry the virus to others after biting a person with dengue.
The dengue virus is a risk year-round in the tropical and subtropical areas of Central and South America (including Brazil and Mexico), Asia (including the Philippines), the Middle East, Africa and several Pacific Islands like American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau. Many popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, are also affected.
Countries reporting higher-than-normal dengue cases include Samoa, Vietnam, Colombia, Cambodia, Maldives, Mali, New Caledonia, Timor-Leste, Bolivia and Guyana.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises travelers to take precautions when visiting the above-mentioned areas:
Travelers returning from areas with dengue should prevent mosquito bites for three weeks. If dengue symptoms develop within two weeks of returning, contact a healthcare provider. Healthcare providers and individuals who suspect dengue are advised to call the Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586.
Symptoms range from mild to severe and include fever, nausea, vomiting, rash and body aches. In some cases, severe illness can occur, but symptoms usually last two to seven days; most people recover within one week.
