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Hawaiian officials limit public access to areas highly impacted by dengue
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Hawaii’s Civil Defense Agency closed all traffic to the Waipio Valley Access Road and limited access to residents in the valley area in response to the ongoing dengue fever epidemic.
The area will be under restricted access until further notice, according to a news release.
The Hawaii County Civil Defense previously closed access to Milolii Beach Park in December for mosquito control and pesticide treatment activities. In addition, Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources prohibited entry to lands near the Milolii village and Honomalino Bay areas.
“State and county experts are now calling Milolii a hot spot in the dengue fever outbreak on the Big Island,” the release said. “Signs will be posted at various access points warning people of the hazardous conditions.”
As of Jan. 13, 215 people were infected with dengue including 174 adults and 41 children, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. Of the confirmed cases, at least two are infectious.
Officials are urging residents and visitors to use mosquito repellents and wear appropriate clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and white or light colors, to reduce exposure to mosquito bites. They also recommend avoiding activities in highly impacted areas in the early morning and late afternoon hours before dark when mosquitoes are most active.
Figure 1. A map of areas in Hawaii with confirmed dengue fever infections.
Source: Hawaii's Department of Health