Dengue is a tropical disease that can be transmitted from an infected person to a mosquito. The virus then spreads it to another person. While Hawaii does have mosquitoes capable of carrying dengue, the disease is not endemic in the state and cases are currently only seen in travelers.
The state Health Department has confirmed a travel-related dengue case on Oahu, where the affected person had recently traveled to a region known to have dengue transmission. Dengue outbreaks are common in various parts of the world, including Central and South America, Asia (such as the Philippines), the Middle East, Africa, and some Pacific Islands. Symptoms of dengue can range from mild to severe, and may include fever, nausea, vomiting, rash, and body aches.
Anyone who travels to a region with dengue transmission is at risk of infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that travelers take usual precautions when visiting areas at risk for dengue. This includes using insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, sleeping under mosquito nets if possible, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants indoors during peak mosquito hours (usually dawn and dusk), avoiding standing water where mosquitoes breed, and taking steps to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes such as avoiding areas with high levels of mosquito activity. For more information on how to protect yourself against dengue while traveling
