Dr. Vivek Nerurkar, Chair of Tropical Medicine, expects additional cases of Dengue Fever to show up on Hawai’i Island. Dengue is a viral illness spread by mosquitos. An outbreak in early November on the largest island in the Hawaiian chain had sickened at least 15 people by November 4.
Dr. Nerurkar suggests “Big Island” residents buy insect repellant containing deet, and wear it, to avoid the disease, which has no cure, and little effective treatment beyond acetaminophen to curb fever. The achy bones and feverish condition can make life miserable for sufferers for as long as a couple of weeks. It is especially important to protect children, the elderly and those whose immune systems are already compromised.
Dr. Vivek Nerurkar
Dr. Nerurkar’s department at the University of Hawai’i John A. Burns School of Medicine has done extensive research into dengue fever, working to produce a vaccine.
The Hawai’i State Department of Health has helpful information about dengue fever on its WEBSITE.
A particular type of mosquito, the Aedes Albopictus, found on Hawai’i Island, is believed to be how the disease is spread. In addition to recommending the use of insect repellant and ongoing efforts to create a dengue vaccine, public health messages on Hawai’i Island are emphasizing the importance of dispelling any stagnant water, a fertile breeding ground for mosquitos.
Dengue fever has been recorded in Hawai’i as far back as 1944. In 2001-2002, an outbreak sickened 122 people statewide (on Maui, O’ahu and Kaua’i).