Updated at 4:20 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2001

Dengue up to 69 cases, but appears outbreak 'under control'

By Yasmin Anwar
Advertiser Staff Writer

State health officials today reported seven more confirmed dengue fever cases, bringing the total number of Hawaii residents known to be infected with the mosquito-borne disease to 69.

There are four new cases on O'ahu and three on Maui.

Overall though, health officials and a dengue expert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the outbreak appears to be under control.

Three of the O'ahu victims reside in La'ie, bringing the total number of dengue cases in the North Shore home of the Polynesian Cultural Center to five.

Another O'ahu case is reported in 'Aiea. The three new Maui cases are in the Hana area, Wailuku and Lahaina.

One suspected dengue case is under investigation on Moloka'i. However, state health officials today said that case has not been confirmed by the CDC, nor has the patient tested positive in preliminary screening.

"It's premature to speculate on whether that individual is or isn't a dengue case," said Dr. Paul Effler, chief of the state's epidemiology division.