HONOLULU
—
The
Hawaiʻi
Department
of
Health
(DOH)
has
identified
a
new
travel-related
dengue
virus
case
on
Oʻahu,
bringing
the
total
number
of
dengue
cases
reported
in
Hawaiʻi
to
seven
in
2026.
The
individual
was
exposed
to
the
virus
while
traveling
internationally
in
a
region
where
dengue
is
common.
No
connection
to
any
prior
cases
in
Hawaiʻi
has
been
identified.
DOH
teams
have
been
deployed
to
conduct
inspections
and
implement
mosquito-control
measures
in
the
affected
area.

Due
to
the
circumstances
of
this
case,
the
expected
risk
of
transmission
is
low.
However,
with
recent
flooding
from
Tropical
Cyclone
Lala
and
anticipated
rain
in
the
forecast,
this
case
is
a
reminder
for
the
public
to
eliminate
standing
water
as
much
as
possible.
Reducing
standing
water
helps
prevent
mosquito
breeding
and
can
reduce
the
risk
of
local
transmission
of
vector-borne
diseases.

More
information
about
mosquito
control
is
available
on
the

vector
control
website.

Dengue
virus
is
transmitted
from
an
infected
person
to
a
mosquito
and
then
to
another
person.
While
Hawaiʻi
is
home
to
mosquitoes
that
can
carry
dengue,
the
disease
is
not
endemic,
or
established,
in
the
state;
cases
are
currently
limited
to
travelers.

Of
the
seven
dengue
cases
reported
in
Hawaiʻi
in
2026,
all
have
involved
travel
to
Pacific
island
countries
and
territories.

Dengue
is
a
year-round
risk
in
tropical
and
subtropical
areas
of
Central
and
South
America,
including
Brazil
and
Mexico;
Asia,
including
the
Philippines;
the
Middle
East;
Africa;
and
several
Pacific
islands,
including
American
Samoa,
the
Federated
States
of
Micronesia,
the
Republic
of
the
Marshall
Islands
and
the
Republic
of
Palau.
Many
popular
tourist
destinations
in
the
Caribbean,
including
Puerto
Rico,
are
also
affected.
Some
countries
are
reporting
higher-than-usual
numbers
of
dengue
cases,
including
Bolivia,
Colombia,
Samoa,
Tonga,
New
Caledonia,
Cambodia,
Malaysia,
Vietnam,
the
Maldives,
Sri
Lanka
and
Kenya.

Travelers
should
review
up-to-date,
country-specific
travel
information
for
guidance
on
dengue
risk
and
prevention
measures
at
least
four
to
six
weeks
before
traveling.
For
current
travel
health
information
and
guidance,
visit
the

Centers
for
Disease
Control
and
Prevention’s
travel
website.

Anyone
planning
to
travel
to
or
who
has
recently
visited
an
area
with
dengue
risk
may
be
at
risk
for
infection.
The
CDC
advises
travelers
to
take
standard
precautions
when
visiting
such
areas.
These
include
using
an

Environmental
Protection
Agency-registered
insect
repellent,
wearing
long-sleeved
shirts
and
long
pants
outdoors,
and
sleeping
in
air-conditioned
rooms,
rooms
with
window
screens
or
under

insecticide-treated
bed
nets.

Travelers
returning
from
areas
with
dengue
risk
should
take
precautions
to
prevent
mosquito
bites
for
three
weeks.
If
dengue
symptoms
develop
within
two
weeks
of
returning,
travelers
should
seek
medical
evaluation.

Symptoms
of
dengue
can
range
from
mild
to
severe
and
include
fever,
nausea,
vomiting,
rash
and
body
aches.
Symptoms
typically
last
two
to
seven
days.
While
severe
illness
can
occur,
most
people
recover
within
a
week.
Individuals
who
have
recently
traveled
and
are
experiencing
these
symptoms
should
contact
their
healthcare
provider.
Healthcare
providers
and
individuals
who
suspect
dengue
infection
are
advised
to
call
the
Disease
Reporting
Line
at
808-586-4586.

In
areas
with
suspected
or
confirmed
dengue
cases,
DOH
personnel
from
the
Vector
Control
Branch
conduct
inspections
and
mosquito-reduction
activities.
Reducing
mosquito
populations
lowers
the
risk
of
dengue
transmission
to
others.
In
areas
without
reported
dengue
cases,
eliminating
mosquito
breeding
sites
around
the
home
is
an
important
preventive
measure.

Mosquitoes
need
only
small
amounts
of
standing
water
to
breed.
Common
breeding
sites
include
buckets,
water-catching
plants
such
as
bromeliads,
small
containers,
planters,
rain
barrels
and
even
cups
left
outside.
Prevent
standing
water
from
collecting
around
homes
and
workplaces
by
emptying
containers
and
other
items
where
mosquitoes
can
lay
eggs.

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