The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises travelers not to cancel trips to Hawai’i because of the dengue fever outbreak on the Big Island.
The Hawai’i Department of Health reported 88 cases since Sept. 11, and only 13 of those were tourists, according to statements made to the Associated Press. Globally, dengue infects hundreds of millions each year, though numbers vary by source and year.
“This isn’t a huge outbreak compared to elsewhere,” said Dr. Lyle Petersen, director of the CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases.
Dengue fever is not endemic to Hawai’i and is introduced when infected visitors arrive from regions where dengue is common. The virus is transmitted through mosquito bites and does not spread directly from person to person.
“With so many people traveling internationally, the chance of importing a disease like dengue to a place such as Hawai’i increases,” Petersen noted. “Given the tens of thousands of visitors who arrive on the islands regularly, the overall risk to any individual traveler remains very low. Simple precautions like using mosquito repellent can greatly reduce your risk.”
Travelers are encouraged to take standard mosquito-prevention measures—use EPA-registered repellents, wear long sleeves and pants during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, and stay in accommodations with screens or air conditioning—but there is no reason to avoid travel to Hawai’i solely because of this outbreak.
Local health officials continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. If you have specific health concerns or underlying conditions that could increase your risk from mosquito-borne illnesses, consult a healthcare provider before traveling.