KAILUA-KONA — A new case of dengue fever was confirmed on Hawaii Island, health officials said Wednesday.
KAILUA-KONA — A new case of dengue fever was confirmed on Hawaii Island, health officials said Wednesday.
The new case, which the state Department of Health said remains potentially infectious to mosquitoes, brings the total confirmed case count to 263 since the outbreak began in September 2015. The state did not provide any additional on the newly identified case, however, it was a Hawaii Island resident.
The last onset of illness was March 17.
“This new case helps to remind everyone that as previously stated, this outbreak remains active and is not anticipated to be considered over anytime in the near future. Therefore we are asking for everyone’s help to continue to Fight the Bite,” Civil Defense said in its daily update.
Of the cases, 237 are Hawaii Island residents and 26 are visitors. Forty-six have been children.
Since the start of the outbreak, some 1,517 reported cases have been excluded based on test results and/or not meeting case criteria.
In addition to announcing the new dengue fever case, the health department also released an updated risk area map. An area mauka of Hookena is the lone area on the island where people are considered to be at moderate risk for infection. Several areas, including Kukio, Kalaoa, Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook, Kealakekua and Volcano. No areas are currently identified as having a high risk for dengue infection.