Posted at 2:05 p.m., Thursday, October 18, 2001

Maui dengue fever outbreak may be ebbing

• Previous story: Dengue fever count now 59

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

HANA, Maui — Health officials said today it appears the dengue fever outbreak in East Maui is waning.

"I think it's close to the end. We hope so, at least in this area," said Manuel Amador, a biologist with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

No new cases have been reported in the Hana region in the last five days, officials said.

Gov. Ben Cayetano, visiting the area this morning to meet with residents and business owners, also expressed optimism that the worst is over.

There have been 59 confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the state, the majority in East Maui, although cases also have been confirmed on Kaua'i and O'ahu.

Duane Smith of the Hale Hulu Mamo senior citizens center today praised Cayetano "for not forgetting Hana."

"The image of the governor in the news being here is a hidden message that it's safe to be here," Smith said.

Many businesses in the remote area report a sharp decline in tourist visits due to the dengue fever outbreak.