Two more Big Island dengue fever cases confirmed

Two additional cases of dengue fever were confirmed on the Big Island Wednesday, health officials said.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the confirmed case count was 248 with three of the cases considered still potentially infectious to mosquitoes. The last onset of illness was Jan. 28.

Of the 248 confirmed cases, 224 are Hawaii Island residents and 24 are visitors. Forty-five have been children younger than age 18, according to the state Department of Health.

The Department of Health will conduct spraying or treatment of Kealakehe Elementary and Intermediate schools on Saturday.

Since the start of the outbrak last fall, the department has excluded 1,087 potential cases based on test results and/or not meeting criteria.

Dengue is a virus that is transmitted from an infected person to a mosquito, which can then infect another person. The best way to prevent the spread of the virus is to prevent mosquito bites by wearing light colored clothing that minimizes exposed skin, using mosquito repellent, and avoiding activities in areas of high mosquito concentration during the early morning and late afternoon periods, according to officials.

Info: https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/dengue-outbreak-2015/, 974-6001.