Thirty-three people on Hawaii’s Big Island have become sick with the dengue fever since September. This is the first outbreak in the state since 2011 when five people were infected.
Twenty-five are residents of the Big Island, while eight were visitors. All patients are either undergoing treatment or have recovered.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses and is transmitted by mosquitoes. There are no vaccines to prevent infection. The most effective prevention is to avoid mosquito bites.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a more severe form of dengue infection. It can be fatal if not properly treated in a timely manner.
Symptoms include high fever and at least two of the following:
-Severe headache
-Severe eye pain (behind eyes)
-Joint pain
-Muscle and/or bone pain
-Rash
-Mild bleeding manifestation
-Low white cell count
The death rate is only 1 percent for dengue when treated properly. Acetaminophen is given to relieve painful symptoms. Ibuprofen should be avoided, as it can cause bleeding.
Residents and visitors should use bug repellants containing DEET or Picaridin for protection.
If you are traveling, visit the CDC for a complete list of prevention tips.
