Hawaii: 26 confirmed Dengue fever cases

October 7, 2001 Posted: 10:32 AM EDT (1432 GMT)

HONOLULU, Hawaii (AP) -- Health officials have confirmed 26 cases of dengue fever in Hawaii's first outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease in more than 50 years.

All of the cases confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have occurred on Maui.

More than 100 suspected cases are being tested on Hawaii island, Maui, Oahu and Kauai, state Health Director Bruce Anderson said Friday.

Anderson expressed confidence that the outbreak will be controlled.

"We caught the problem early," Anderson said.

He said the state will spare no effort in curbing the spread of the disease and said everyone can help by eliminating standing water where the mosquitos breed.

Oahu Mayor Jeremy Harris said beginning Monday, refuse crews will pick up any discarded items that collect water and are potential breeding places.

Similar efforts will begin soon on Maui and Kauai, Anderson said.

Dengue fever causes severe headaches, fever and rashes. The more serious dengue hemorrhagic fever has a fatality rate of 5 percent, according to the CDC. There is no vaccine or specific treatment.

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2001