The Latest on the Zika Virus and Dengue Fever in Hawaii

Photo by Freeimages.com/Sergio Sanchez

It's been about a month since Hawaii’s Governor David Ige declared a state of emergency for mosquito-borne illnesses, including Zika and Dengue Fever. Travel Agent breaks down the latest updates since that announcement was made. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of March 9, there have now been five travel-associated cases of the Zika virus reported in Hawaii. The Associated Press (AP) also reports, however, that there have been no reported cases of local Zika transmission in Hawaii. 

The AP also is reporting that the U.S. government revised its Zika travel warnings Friday, saying it's OK for pregnant women to travel to Mexico City and other places at high elevation in outbreak regions.

The kind of mosquito that spreads the Zika virus is rare at higher elevations because of the lack of humidity and other conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infections from Zika or the related dengue virus haven't been seen high up, according to the AP.

Accoridng to the report, since mid-January, the health agency has advised pregnant women to avoid travel to areas with Zika outbreaks because the virus may be linked to a surge of birth defects in Brazil. The list has grown to about three dozen destinations, most in Latin America or the Caribbean, according to the AP.

As far as Hawaii's other mosquito problem goes, although there have been more than 250 confirmed cases of dengue reported during the current outbreak, Hawaii 24/7 is reporting that there have been no cases of Dengue Fever as of March 14. The total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the outbreak is 261. These cases include 236 residents and 25 visitors, according to the report. 

As there have been no confirmed cases associated with the Milolii Beach Park and Village Community area since January 20, and with the actions taken to include numerous spraying and treatments, County and Department of Health Officials have reopened the access to the village and beach park for normal use, according to the Hawaii 24/7 report.

Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for more updates on this story and be sure to follow Travel Agent's Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike.