Hawaii health officials are reporting an additional eight locally acquired dengue fever cases on Big Isle, bringing the island’s total to 130. Of the confirmed cases, 114 are Hawaii Island residents and 16 are visitors. 100 cases have been adults; 30 have been children, according to the Hawaii Department of Health.
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) team wraps up their investigation and analysis in Hawaii today, it is being reported by local media that the US Navy is on standby to possibly assist in the battle against dengue.
CDC workers will spend the next two weeks conducting advanced molecular tests, providing test kits and advice, and working with epidemiological teams.
Even with the 130 confirmed cases on Hawaii Island, CDC officials describe Hawaii Island’s outbreak as relatively small.
According to a West Hawaii Today report, state Department of Health Director Ginny Pressler said the information accumulated by the CDC team, led by Dr Lyle Petersen, director of the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, will be used by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, working with the Hawaii Governor David Ige to decide whether to call in the Navy to help with mosquito spraying.
