CAPTAIN COOK, HAWAII >> State Department of Health officials met Monday with residents of South Kona, a hot spot of dengue fever exposure, with 23 of the 27 cases on Hawaii island so far.
The meeting took place as health officials announced that the dengue fever patient count on the island had grown by four confirmed cases to 27. Officials did not say where the new cases are.
About 130 residents overflowed Yano Hall in Captain Cook on Monday night. It was a cross section of the community, including nurses, teachers, farmers and a Boy Scout leader taking his troop camping this weekend.
“I’m very concerned because it’s where I was born and raised,” said Councilwoman Maile David (North Kona-South Kona-Kau-Greater Volcano). “It’s very concerning that something like this can happen in such a small community. It’s never happened like this before. You live your everyday life and then your neighbors get sick. It really hits home how vulnerable we are. … We will do whatever it takes to get through this.”
State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park told the audience that officials have identified the type of dengue fever as Type 1, the mildest of four types.
“The vast majority will have mild symptoms,” she said. “The higher the fever, the more virus in your blood, and the more likely you are to transmit the virus.”
“There are 27 confirmed cases, but a lot more are being investigated,” said state Health Director Dr. Virginia Pressler, addressing the media on Hawaii island Monday afternoon. “We can’t say when it’s going to end, but it will end a lot sooner if everybody works together. … If we can get the word out so they can help themselves, then we’ll see a sooner end.”
Mayor Billy Kenoi said the county got its first briefing Wednesday from the Health Department, and he quickly activated Civil Defense.
Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said his agency is maintaining communication with the public by radio.
Health Department workers have been spraying areas for mosquitoes where there have been suspected cases, but it doesn’t mean dengue fever has been confirmed there, Pressler said.
Oliveira told residents some retailers are out of mosquito sprays (for property) and repellents but that if a shortage occurs, they will make government stockpiles available or expedite shipment from the mainland, but for now there is an abundance on the island.
Aqua-Reslin, a restricted-use pesticide, is being used on the Big Island, Hawaii Island District Health Officer Aaron Ueno said, adding that it is “only used during public health threats.”
Dr. Lorrin Pang, Maui’s district health officer, said the chemical is less harsh and less harmful than the one used on Maui but is preferred on the Big Island because it sprays and sticks well to leaves.
State health workers have been interviewing those who contracted the disease and mapped the areas on Hawaii island. As of Friday all 23 infected persons had possible exposure to mosquitoes in South Kona.
The potentially fatal disease is transmitted when an infected human is bitten by a mosquito and bites another human. Other animals (except primates) cannot get infected.
The Health Department launched its statewide “Fight the Bite” campaign to halt the spread of the virus by encouraging visitors and locals to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and using repellent. The public was also urged to limit the time spent where there may be a lot of mosquitoes, such as streambeds, campsites and heavily vegetated areas.
It urges the public to eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed and treating plants that can hold water. Go to health.hawaii.gov or dial Aloha United Way 211 for more information.
Of the 27 locally acquired cases, eight are mainland visitors to Hawaii island but are from states that do not want Hawaii health officials to disclose, said Pressler, the health director.
All are recovered or recovering, and the earliest known case was symptomatic Sept. 15.
The number does not include a Kalama Valley, Oahu, resident who contracted the illness in Southeast Asia.
Park, the state epidemiologist, swatted away a mosquito during the news conference as she encouraged people to talk to their health care provider if they become ill. Dengue fever is an urgently notifiable condition, she said.
Health care professionals are urged to use the state laboratory rather than commercial labs in order to get results of tests within a day or so rather than a week if sent to a mainland lab.
People with the potentially fatal disease typically have flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, rash, joint and muscle pain and pain behind the eyes, but coughing and congestion are not present.
Other meetings will be held today at Naalehu Community Center, Thursday in Konawaena High’s cafeteria, Friday in Honokaa High’s cafeteria, Monday in Hilo High’s cafeteria and Nov. 17 in Keaau High’s cafeteria.
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Correction: State Health Director Dr.Virginia Pressler said more possible dengue fever cases on the Big Island are being investigated. She did not refer to it as a fatal disease as was reported in a photo caption in an earlier version of this story. None of the Big Island cases in the current outbreak have been fatal.
