The Hawaii Department of Health has confirmed its 12th travel-related dengue fever case this year. Eleven of these cases have been reported on Oʻahu and one on Maui. The latest patient contracted the virus while traveling abroad and has no connection to earlier cases, easing concerns about local transmission.
Vector Control teams are conducting mosquito inspections and control measures around the affected area to prevent any spread. Since dengue is not naturally present in Hawaii, the virus can only be introduced if a mosquito bites an infected traveler and then bites another person.
Health officials urge travelers returning from dengue-affected areas to protect themselves for three weeks after arrival, monitor for symptoms such as fever, rash, nausea, and body aches, and seek prompt medical care if symptoms appear. Residents are also encouraged to remove standing water from containers like buckets, plant pots, and coolers to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
Dengue fever continues to affect tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, and outbreaks in places like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa highlight the importance of mosquito bite prevention for anyone visiting those areas.
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