Hawaii reports 9th 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 just a few days after the eighth case was reported, bringing the total in the state to nine so far this year.

Health officials say the individual was exposed to the virus while traveling internationally in a Pacific Island region where dengue is common. No connections to prior cases have been found.

Teams have implemented mosquito-control measures in the affected area, which DOH did not disclose.

”Due to the circumstances of this case, the risk of transmission is expected to be low,” said DOH in a news release. “However, with the heavy rain over the past week, 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 seven 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 reporting higher-than-usual numbers of dengue cases among returning U.S. travelers right now include Costa Rica, Cuba, Malaysia, the Marshall islands, Panama, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

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