The number of suspected cases of dengue fever in Hana and Nahiku has risen to 41, state Health Department information officer Janice Okubo said Tuesday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed four patients were infected with the tropical disease in the remote East Maui communities. However, an increase in the number of suspected cases jumped from 27 last week, to 41 now. Okubo said she did not know how long it ll be before the CDC can confirm the cause of the illness affecting the patients who were tested. The federal agency is the only entity that can legally confirm that a suspicious illness is dengue.
Dengue is an infectious tropical disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Symptoms include headache, fever and rash in various parts of the body including the palms of hands and the soles of feet. Symptoms usually last a week and a person is often tired even a week after the symptoms have cleared. Okubo encouraged residents to immediately contact a physician if they are experiencing any symptoms of dengue. That would really be helpful, she said. Okubo also reiterated Tuesday the Health Department s request that East Maui residents get rid of anything that might allow mosquitoes to breed, such as standing water in plastic containers, 55-gallon drums, buckets or used car tires.