Travel-Related Illness Cases Continue to Climb in Hawaii
If you’re traveling to Hawaii anytime soon, bring the bug spray. More cases of dengue fever, which mosquitoes carry, are being reported. The recent flooding in Hawaii is not helping the situation.
The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) has identified a new travel-related dengue virus case on Kauai, bringing the total number of dengue cases in the state to five this year so far. It can be transmitted from an infected person to another person.
How Serious Is Dengue Fever?
In its milder form, the dengue virus, can cause a rash and fever, as high as 105 degrees, that lasts about a week. Severe cases can cause shock, internal bleeding, and death, according to the University of Florida Health.
Other symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Headache (especially behind the eyes)
- Joint aches (often severe)
- Muscle aches (often severe)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Nasal stuffiness
Symptoms of severe dengue can occur 24 to 48 hours after fever has gone away. Severe symptoms include:
- Severe stomach pain and tenderness
- Vomiting often (at least 3 times in 24 hours)
- Bleeding from the nose or gums
- Vomiting blood or passing blood in the stools or urine
- Bleeding under the skin (looks like bruises)
- Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing
- Feeling tired, restless, or irritable
How To Protect Yourself From Dengue
The CDC recommends using EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and long pants, and sleeping in air-conditioned rooms or under insecticide-treated bed nets.
Dengue is a year-round concern in Hawaii, and health officials are working to control the mosquito population to protect locals and travelers.