Maui Dengue Fever outbreak
 

Maui (and Hawaii) travelers should be aware that there has been an outbreak of Dengue Fever (yellow fever) on Maui. Hana has been hit the hardest. Apparently a hula troupe returning from a performance in Tahiti came back ill and the state health dept did not quarantine them quickly enough. Dengue fever is not contagious through human contact but is transmitted by mosquitoes. The health department has been spraying areas with large mosquito populations. The state park campgrounds in Wainapanapa and Oheo Gulch have been closed. <BR> <BR>This is heartbreaking news during a period when tourism has been hit hard but travelors should be aware of the risk of contracting the disease. More info. is available on the Honolulu Advertiser's website.

Can I assume that those of us who have been innoculated for yellow fever in the past couple of years are safe? I know the Navy only makes you take the shot once every ten years.

I have no info on any outbreaks, but I recommend checking cdc.gov and checking the travel informantion. <BR> <BR>Dengue and yellow fever are two different viral illnesses which are spread through mosquitos. <BR> <BR>There is no dengue vaccine. There is a vaccine for yellow fever, but it is not very effective.

Nothing is posted yet on the CDC web site, but the State of Hawaii's Health Department has posted info. Go to www.state.hi.us/health

I agree that it is definately sad. My kids loved the black sand beach at Wainapapa State Park. The trip to Hana is a highlight of a Maui vacation.

Is there any update on dengue fever in the Hana area? I will be traveling to Maui next week. Is there a website that lists the various closings in and around Hana? Thanks for any info.

I just returned from 2 weeks on the Big Island, where there are no confirmed cases of dengue fever. I did hear on the local TV news that there were several new cases in east Maui. I wouldn't go to that part of the island until the mosquitos are under control. Why take the chance of getting that miserable disease.