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| Photo by Freeimages.com/Pavel Nahly |
While Hawaii's battle with the mosquito-borne illness dengue fever is still ongoing, it at least appears as though the problem has slowed down a bit.
Hawaii 24/7 is reporting that, as of 1 p.m. Monday, April 25, the State Department of Health had reported no new confirmed cases of dengue fever since the previous update. According to Hawaii 24/7, the State Department of Health had reported one new confirmed case of dengue fever on April 22, but this was an older, previously unconfirmed case. Before that case, the last confirmed case was around the middle of March, according to various news reports.
According to the Hawaii 24/7 report, "Everyone should be reminded that this outbreak remains active and is not anticipated to be considered over anytime in the near future."
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald is reporting that state lawmakers have agreed to boost funding for the Department of Health’s vector control branch as they try to take a more proactive approach to combating mosquito-borne diseases.
The $1.27 million approved by House and Senate leaders this week will add 20 new positions to the branch, tasked with monitoring populations of mosquitoes, rats and other disease vectors, according to the report. The branch, hit hard by budget cuts following the 2009 recession, will have 45 employees once the positions are filled.
Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for more updates on this developing story.