Hawaii reports 8th case of travel-related dengue this year

The Hawaii Department of Health has identified a new travel-related dengue case on Oahu.

The latest case comes about seven weeks after the seventh case was reported, bringing the total in the state to eight so far this year.

Health officials say the individual was exposed to the virus while traveling internationally in a region where dengue is common, and that no connections to prior cases have been found. Teams have been deployed to implement mosquito-control measures in the affected area, which DOH did not disclose.

“Due to the circumstances of this case, the expected risk of transmission is low,” said DOH in a news release. “However, with recent heavy rain, this case is a reminder for the public to eliminate standing water as much as possible. Reducing standing water helps prevent mosquito breeding and can reduce the risk of local transmission of vector-borne diseases.”

To date, there have been six cases on Oahu, one on Maui and one on Kauai.

Dengue – a viral illness spread through a mosquito bite – is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, including the tropical and subtropical areas of Central and South America; Asia; the Middle East; Africa; Puerto Rico; American Samoa; Micronesia; the Marshall Islands and Palau.

Some countries that are reporting higher-than-usual numbers of dengue cases right now include Bolivia, Colombia, Samoa, Tonga, New Caledonia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Kenya.

Hawaii is home to Aedes mosquitoes, which can carry dengue, but the disease is not endemic or established in the state. Dengue cases in Hawaii are currently limited to travelers.

All eight dengue cases reported in Hawaii this year have involved travel to Pacific Island countries and territories, DOH said.