Posted on: Saturday, November 10, 2001

Big Isle still dengue-free: Single case misdiagnosed

Advertiser Staff

The Department of Health yesterday revised the distribution of dengue fever cases in the state, reporting that there are no confirmed cases on the Big Island.

The department last week reported the first case on the Big Island, but yesterday said that was from an error by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is conducting the tests for the outbreak.

The mistake was from a labeling error rather than a testing error, according to the DOH.

The same error also means there is one new case of the mosquito-borne virus in Kapa'a, Kaua'i, bringing the island's total to five. Confirmed cases for the state remain at 78.

There also are 10 suspected cases — three on Maui and seven on O'ahu — that tested positive in preliminary testing. The department said another 355 reports of illness remain under investigation.