Posted on: Tuesday, February 19, 2002

New dengue cases in Kailua, Hana

Advertiser Staff

A new case of dengue fever in Kailua and another in Hana have pushed the statewide total to 108.

It's the second case of the mosquito-borne disease in Kailua and the 68th in Hana, where the virus was first detected last year.

Both people contracted the disease in early January. Despite the new cases, the incidence of the disease has dropped sharply since October, and health experts have said the outbreak is largely under control. However, they continue to encourage people to check around their homes and remove standing water, where mosquitoes breed.

There are now 79 confirmed cases on Maui; 25 on O'ahu; and four on Kaua'i.

The dengue virus is spread by the bite of the Aedes mosquito, which is active during the day. The virus cannot be passed from person to person. While dengue can sometimes be fatal, this outbreak is of a less-serious strain. Victims typically suffer high fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, rash and pain behind the eyes.