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Hawaii health officials confirmed six more cases of dengue fever on Tuesday, bringing the total number of people infected in the outbreak to 33.
The state Department of Health said Tuesday that 25 of those infected with the mosquito-borne disease were residents, and eight were tourists. Most of the cases were involved adults, while four children were also infected. Officials said those who had contracted the disease are in some stage of complete or partial recovery.
The dengue fever cases date back to mid-September. Officials said most of the people have been infected on the Big Island in the Captain Cook region.
Another case of dengue fever has been confirmed on Oahu, but officials said the strain is not related to the cases on the Big Island.
Not everyone who has dengue fever shows symptoms, but those who do usually do within a week after transmission. They may include fever, joint pain, headaches, and rash.
This is the first outbreak in the Hawaiian Islands since 2011, when four people were infected on Oahu with a local strain of dengue fever. In 2001, an outbreak in Hawaii infected 153 people, predominately in East Maui.
Dengue is not normally present in Hawaii and occurs mainly in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. It was likely transmitted via travelers coming through the islands, as happened in Hawaii in 2001 and 2011.
Health officials recommended that visitors and residents use mosquito repellent while outside, wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants, and avoid the outdoors during prime mosquito times that includes dawn and dusk.
Allie Wesenberg, who has 1.5 million subscribers to her YouTube channel, visited Hawaii in October and reportedly came down with the illness after returning home to Florida.
On YouTube, Wesenberg shared the story of her infection, describing the painful experience.
"Started to see all these crazy side effects," Wesenberg said. "My body started to ache... My bones hurt, it was awful... I genuinely thought I was going to die."
The couple said Wesenberg spent six days in the hospital before she was released.
from BuzzFeed - USNews http://ift.tt/1lkV6wF
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