Four Suspect Zika Travelers On Oahu

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HONOLULU (AP) — Health officials are reminding Hawaii residents to get rid of mosquito-breeding grounds as the state Department of Health investigates whether four reports of travel-related mosquito-borne illness on Oahu could be the Zika virus, dengue fever or chikungunya.

The four cases were reported to the Department of Health on Thursday and all were acquired in Latin America or other Pacific Islands.

Department of Health Director Virginia Pressler said there have been no locally-acquired mosquito-borne illnesses on Oahu. The four cases are no longer active.

http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/state/officials-investigate-possible-zika-virus-cases-oahu

 

[niman]

HONOLULU (AP) — Health officials are reminding Hawaii residents to get rid of mosquito-breeding grounds as the state Department of Health investigates whether four reports of travel-related mosquito-borne illness on Oahu could be the Zika virus, dengue fever or chikungunya.

The four cases were reported to the Department of Health on Thursday and all were acquired in Latin America or other Pacific Islands.

Department of Health Director Virginia Pressler said there have been no locally-acquired mosquito-borne illnesses on Oahu. The four cases are no longer active.

“The department is working closely with the counties and taking precautionary measures to respond to all suspected and confirmed cases,” Pressler said. “We ask for the public’s help in reducing mosquito breeding areas around homes and workplaces and preventing mosquito bites by using repellant or protective clothing.”

It may take the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention months to identify the samples from Hawaii.

 

 

Zika and dengue fever are spread by the same type of mosquito. To prevent mosquitoes from breeding, residents are encouraged to eliminate standing water from their homes, fix leaky outdoor faucets, clean gutters and treat plants that hold water.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said following the state’s “Fight the Bite” campaign is important to stop the spread of what could become a serious health issue on the island.

“If you feel ill with flu-like symptoms, please seek medical attention, especially if you’ve traveled to another part of the world recently,” he said.

Honolulu officials are inspecting all city facilities for standing water and working to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

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Health Department investigating possible travel-related Zika, dengue cases on Oahu

Saturday, March 26th 2016, 8:25 pm EDTSaturday, March 26th 2016, 9:18 pm EDT

By Ben Gutierrez, Reporter / Weather Anchor

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(Image: Hawaii News Now/File)

 

(Image: Hawaii News Now)

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -

The state Health Department said it is investigating four cases of travel-related mosquito borne viruses on Oahu.

In a news release, the department said the cases include an individual who traveled to Latin America and returned to Hawaii ill. That person is being tested for dengue and Zika. There are other individuals who are being tested for dengue fever and chikungunya and have a history of travel to the Pacific Islands and Latin American.

The department said all of the individuals have recovered.

Officials said initial lab tests for the first individual were not conclusive, but further testing will be done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state's vector control teams have been assessing residential and other areas in urban Honolulu and along the North Shore during the past week to determine if mosquito control measures are necessary. 

The department said those measures would include eliminating mosquito breeding sites or spraying to reduce adult mosquito activity.

Dengue fever, Zika and ciungunya are all mosquito borne viruses that are spread when a sick person is bitten by a mosquito, which later bites another person. Evidence suggests that Zika can also be transmitted through unprotected sexual contact with someone who has been infected.

There have been two confirmed Zika cases in Hawaii, including one earlier this week involving a Kauai resident who recently traveled to Latin America. The first confirmed Zika case was reported on Oahu in early March. That person is no longer infections, according to state officials.

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