Hawaii officials close Big Island road to limit dengue fever

Author: the associated press
Published:
CDC / MGN

HONOLULU (AP) – Hawaii officials have closed a Big Island road amid an ongoing dengue fever outbreak.

There are 218 confirmed cases as of Friday.

Hawaii County’s Civil Defense Agency blocked all traffic to Waipio Valley Access Road on Thursday and limited access to residents. The road closure comes three weeks after Hawaii Department of Health officials blocked access to state lands near Milolii and Honomalino Bay, which were “hotspots” for the virus.

Health officials also are holding weekly community meetings in Kona and Hilo to help educate the public.

Since September 2015, 177 adults and 41 children have been infected with the mosquito-borne virus. The total included 21 visitors.

It’s the third dengue fever outbreak in Hawaii since 2001. The most recent occurred on Oahu in 2011 when five people got infected.

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