KAILUA-KONA — The second of three areas closed last fall to stem the Big Island dengue fever outbreak has reopened.
Milolii Beach Park and the village community, closed in late December, was reopened to the public Friday morning, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense. The decision to reopen the South Kona area was based on a variety of factors, including no confirmed cases associated with the park since Jan. 20, numerous spraying and treatments conducted there and the end of the four- to six-week life cycle of infectious mosquitoes.
“Everyone is reminded that ensuring the safe and enjoyable use of our park facilities depends on everyone’s help and cooperation. Please use repellent while visiting and enjoying the park and help to keep it clean. If feeling ill, avoid visiting parks and public areas and remain home to prevent transmission of any communicable diseases,” Civil Defense said in its Thursday dengue update.
Meanwhile, the last area closed because of dengue fever, Waipio Valley Access Road, remains closed. It is not yet known when the area will be reopened to the public.
Since the start of the outbreak in September, 261 cases have been confirmed on Hawaii Island. Of those cases, 236 are Hawaii Island residents and 25 are visitors; 46 have been children, according to the Hawaii Department of Health.
No new cases of the mosquito-borne virus were confirmed on the Big Island on Friday.