Dengue fever case count increases to 213

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Three additional cases of dengue fever were confirmed on the Big Island Tuesday, health officials said.

The three new cases bring the total confirmed dengue fever count on the Big Island to 213. Of the confirmed cases, 193 are Hawaii Island residents and 20 are visitors. Forty-one have been children.

The state Department of Health said just one of the confirmed cases remain potentially infectious to mosquitoes. The last onset of illness occurred Jan. 2. Dengue is a virus that is transmitted from an infected person to a mosquito, which can then infect another person.

Since the end of October, 874 suspect cases have been excluded based on test results and/or not meeting case criteria.

Symptoms of dengue include a high fever, intense headache and joint pain, and rash on the arms. If you suspect you may have dengue, contact your health care provider and remain indoors to prevent the possibility of being bitten and infecting mosquitoes.

To report mosquito concerns, contact 322-4880 in West Hawaii and 974-6001 in East Hawaii.

Info: http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/dengue-outbreak-2015.