Neighbor Island briefs

Advertiser Staff and News Services

MAUI

Two dengue cases raise total to 89

Two more cases of dengue fever have been identifed in Hau'ula and Hana, bringing the statewide total to 89.

Four cases are in Hau'ula and 55 in the Hana area, where the disease was first detected.

The number of confirmed cases on Kaua'i fell from five to four after tests showed one suspected case was negative.

Health officials remain cautiously optimistic the outbreak has been contained. The state Health Fepartment has launched an aggressive mosquito-control program.

The dengue virus is spread by the bite of Aedes mosquitoes; it cannot be passed from person to person. Victims typically suffer high fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, rash and pain behind the eyes.

Maui crash victim identified

The man who died in a traffic accident Saturday on Maui has been identified as Douglas "Billy" Rothaus, 55, of Ha'iku.

Rothaus was driving southeast on Ha'iku Road at 4:08 p.m., about a half-mile east of East Kulaha Road, when his 1978 Dodge pickup truck collided with an oncoming 1987 Ford van. The driver of the van, a woman from Huelo, and her passenger were not harmed. Both wore seat belts.

Rothaus, who was not wearing a seat belt, was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center, where he died Sunday night.