HILO — Access to Waipio Valley could remain restricted for eight to 12 weeks even after no new cases of dengue fever have been confirmed in the area, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense officials. ADVERTISING HILO — Access to
HILO — Access to Waipio Valley could remain restricted for eight to 12 weeks even after no new cases of dengue fever have been confirmed in the area, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense officials.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources ordered Friday the closure of the neighboring Muliwai hiking trail and the Waimanu Valley campground in response to cases of dengue fever found among Waipio residents.
John Drummond, an administrative officer with Civil Defense, said Friday afternoon that Waipio Valley, which was closed Wednesday to everyone but valley residents, could be off limits for months as county and state officials work to combat the spread of the mosquito-borne virus on Hawaii Island.
Eight to 12 weeks after the last case is identified “is a good ballpark figure,” he said, although it could be closed even longer. The reason, he said, is to ensure that all mosquitoes infected with dengue have died off before visitors are allowed back into the valley.
Also Friday, the DLNR announced it would close access to Muliwai trail and Waimanu Valley, which can only be accessed via Waipio Valley. Campers with existing permits will be contacted by DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife. No new permits will be issued until further notice, according to a Friday afternoon press release.
Newly confirmed cases of dengue fever totaled five on Friday, bringing Hawaii Island’s total since the first reported case of the outbreak on Sept. 11, 2015, to 223.
Dengue is a virus that is transmitted from an infected person to a mosquito, which can then infect another person. Dengue fever cannot be spread directly from person to person.
Symptoms of dengue include a high fever, intense headache and joint pain, and rash on the arms. If you suspect you may have dengue, contact your health care provider and remain indoors to prevent the possibility of being bitten and infecting mosquitoes.
For additional information on dengue and preventing the spread, go to health.hawaii.gov or call the Department of Health at 974-6001.
Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
