[hilac] FW: NEWS RELEASE: Hawaii Department of Health Investigates Travel Related Cases of Mosquito Borne Illnesses on Oahu

From: "Inaba, Audrey K." <Audrey.Inaba@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "hilac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <hilac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 29 Mar 2016 18:47:00 +0000

Please share forward.  Also attached is recent CDC recommendations related to
prevention of sexual transmission of Zika.

Audrey

From: DOH.dirclerk
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2016 3:39 PM
Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Hawaii Department of Health Investigates Travel Related
Cases of Mosquito Borne Illnesses on Oahu

Attention all DOH employees, the following is provided for your information and
sharing. You are encouraged to send out this information widely to all
community partners, and others that may be interested in DOH activities. E-mail
administrators please distribute. This e-mail address does not reply to
inquiries.

[cid:image003.jpg@01D18766.C0450DE0]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

VIRGINIA PRESSLER, M.D.
DIRECTOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2016
                    16-021

HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH INVESTIGATES TRAVEL RELATED CASES OF MOSQUITO BORNE
ILLNESSES ON OAHU
Vector Teams Conducting Assessments

HONOLULU - The Hawaii State Department of Health is investigating four cases of
travel related mosquito borne viruses on Oahu. The cases include an individual
who traveled to Latin America, returned ill, and is being tested for dengue and
Zika virus, as well as individuals who are being tested for dengue fever and
chikungunya and have a history of travel to the Pacific Islands and Latin
America. All of the individuals have recovered.

Initial lab tests for the first individual referenced above conducted by the
State Laboratories Division were not conclusive, and further testing will be
conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The department's
Vector Control teams have been assessing residential and other areas in urban
Honolulu and along the North Shore this week to determine if mosquito control
measure such as eliminating mosquito breeding sites or spraying to reduce adult
mosquitos activity will be necessary.

Dengue fever, Zika, and chikungunya are all mosquito borne viruses that are
spread when a sick person is bitten by a mosquito, which later bites another
person. Evidence suggests that Zika can also be transmitted through unprotected
sexual contact with someone who has been infected. The best way to prevent all
these viruses is to take mosquito control measures and to avoid getting bitten.
Some who carry Zika do not show symptoms, and in others, illness may last from
several days to over a week. There is currently no cure for these viruses.

"The department expects to see more of these travel related cases as outbreaks
of all these diseases continue in other countries," said Health Director Dr.
Virginia Pressler. "The department is working closely with the counties and
taking precautionary measures to respond to all suspected and confirmed cases.
We ask for the public's help in reducing mosquito breeding areas around homes
and workplaces and preventing mosquito bites by using repellant or protective
clothing."

Department of Health staff will continue to conduct site visits in various
areas on Oahu in the coming week to assess problem areas for mosquito breeding
and inform residents of the need to take precautions against mosquito-borne
viruses. Residents who are not at home when a Vector Control team visits their
neighborhood will receive a flyer or letter from the Department of Health and
are advised to read the information carefully.

The public is advised that anyone who has traveled outside the country and has
mild to severe symptoms such as fever, joint pain, rash, or red/pink eyes
within 2 weeks after returning from travel should see their healthcare
provider. All residents and visitors should avoid getting mosquito bites by
using repellent and wearing light-colored clothing with long sleeves, pants,
shoes and socks when outdoors. Residents should fix broken window and door
screens at home, and get rid of standing water in the yard. Old tires, buckets,
toys and plants, especially bromeliads, can become breeding sites for mosquitos.

For more tips on how to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne viruses, visit
health.hawaii.gov<http://health.hawaii.gov>.

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT:
Janice Okubo
Communications Office
Cell: (808) 368-6006

Attachment: Final HAN 388_Update_Interim Guidelines for Prevention of Sexual Transmi....pdf
Description: Final HAN 388_Update_Interim Guidelines for Prevention of Sexual Transmi....pdf

[hilac] FW: NEWS RELEASE: Hawaii Department of Health Investigates Travel Related Cases of Mosquito Borne Illnesses on Oahu

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