HONOLULU, Hawaii – In a concerning uptick for public health officials, Hawaii’s Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed the state’s 14th Dengue virus case of 2025, with the latest infection identified as travel-related on Oahu. The patient, a resident who recently returned from a dengue-endemic region, developed symptoms shortly after arriving home, prompting swift isolation and contact tracing to prevent any local spread via mosquitoes.
- Oahu’s Newest Dengue Patient Traced to High-Risk Tropical Destination
- Hawaii’s 2025 Dengue Cases Climb: From 5 in Q1 to 14 by Mid-Year
- Mosquito Control Intensifies on Oahu and Beyond as Dengue Threat Looms
- Travelers and Residents Receive Urgent Public Health Guidance to Combat Dengue
- Hawaii DOH Plots Aggressive Path to Curb Dengue Through 2025 and Beyond
This marks the second travel-related dengue case on Oahu this year, underscoring the risks posed by global mobility in an era of rising tropical diseases. Health authorities emphasize that all cases remain imported, with no evidence of local mosquito-borne transmission yet, but vigilance is paramount as Aedes mosquitoes thrive in Hawaii’s warm climate.
“We are closely monitoring this situation to ensure it does not evolve into community transmission,” said Dr. Kenneth Fink, DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division Chief, in a statement released Friday. “Travelers play a critical role in preventing Dengue virus introduction, and our mosquito control teams are on high alert.”
Oahu’s Newest Dengue Patient Traced to High-Risk Tropical Destination
The affected individual, whose identity remains confidential per privacy protocols, traveled to a known dengue hotspot in Southeast Asia during late 2024. Symptoms – including high fever, severe headache, joint pain, and rash – emerged within two weeks of return, aligning with the Dengue virus incubation period of 4-10 days. Laboratory tests confirmed the infection, ruling out connections to Hawaii’s prior 13 cases, which include a mix of travel-related incidents from various islands.
Oahu, home to over 1 million residents and millions of annual tourists, has now seen multiple introductions of the dengue virus this year. The island’s urban environments provide ideal breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, vectors that can acquire the virus from an infected person and transmit it locally if not contained.
DOH investigators conducted premise inspections around the patient’s residence in Honolulu, applying larvicides to standing water sources like flower pots, gutters, and discarded tires. No mosquitoes testing positive for dengue have been found, but the agency urges residents to eliminate breeding sites proactively.
Patient Recovery and Isolation Measures
The patient is recovering at home under medical supervision, with no hospitalizations required – a positive sign given dengue’s potential for severe complications like dengue hemorrhagic fever in secondary infections. Contact tracing identified 20 close contacts, all advised to monitor for symptoms and use repellents.
- Symptom Onset: Approximately 7 days post-return
- Virus Strain: Likely DENV-1, common in the travel destination
- Local Links: None detected; patient avoided outdoor activities while symptomatic
Hawaii’s 2025 Dengue Cases Climb: From 5 in Q1 to 14 by Mid-Year
Hawaii’s dengue tally for 2025 has accelerated dramatically, doubling from seven cases by April to 14 as of July. This surge contrasts sharply with 2024’s total of just eight cases statewide, highlighting a worrisome trend amid post-pandemic travel rebounds.
| Month | Cases | Island Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Jan-Mar | 5 | Oahu (3), Maui (1), Big Island (1) |
| Apr-Jun | 6 | Oahu (4), Kauai (2) |
| July (YTD) | 3 | Oahu (2), Maui (1) |
Of the 14 cases, 11 are travel-related, with origins spanning the Pacific Islands, Latin America, and Asia – regions where dengue virus circulates endemically. Three locally acquired cases earlier in the year were swiftly contained through aggressive mosquito control, averting outbreaks reminiscent of 2015-2016 when over 250 infections rocked the Big Island.
Public health experts attribute the rise to increased international air travel. Honolulu International Airport alone handled 2.5 million passengers in the first half of 2025, up 15% from last year, per Hawaii Tourism Authority data. “Global dengue activity is at record highs, with over 7 million cases reported worldwide in 2024 by WHO estimates,” noted Dr. Maria Rosario, an epidemiologist at the University of Hawaii. “Hawaii serves as a gateway, making travel-related introductions inevitable without robust prevention.”
Mosquito Control Intensifies on Oahu and Beyond as Dengue Threat Looms
In response to the 14th case, DOH has escalated mosquito control operations across Oahu, deploying additional teams for door-to-door surveys and aerial treatments in high-risk zones. The Vector Control Branch treated over 5,000 properties island-wide in June alone, focusing on urban Honolulu and Waikiki where tourist density amplifies risks.
Key initiatives include:
- Source Reduction: Removing stagnant water from 10,000+ containers monthly.
- Insecticide Applications: Ultra-low volume spraying in evening hours to target adult mosquitoes.
- Community Partnerships: Collaborations with hotels, schools, and neighborhoods for clean-up drives.
- Surveillance Traps: 500+ gravid traps monitoring Aedes populations weekly.
“Mosquito control is our frontline defense,” emphasized Jana Dela Cruz, Oahu Mosquito Control Supervisor. “We’ve seen Aedes numbers dip 30% in treated areas, but sustained resident participation is crucial.” Funding for these efforts totals $4.2 million in 2025, bolstered by federal grants amid climate change concerns that extend mosquito seasons.
Historically, Hawaii’s proactive stance has limited dengue outbreaks. The 2019-2020 spike of 100+ cases was curtailed through similar measures, but experts warn that evolving virus serotypes could challenge immunity in repeat travelers.
Travelers and Residents Receive Urgent Public Health Guidance to Combat Dengue
As Hawaii grapples with its dengue virus uptick, public health messaging targets both inbound tourists and locals. The DOH launched a multilingual campaign last month, featuring billboards at airports and social media alerts in English, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese.
Core Recommendations:
- Use EPA-registered repellents with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Wear long sleeves and pants during dawn/dusk peak mosquito hours.
- Check accommodations for screens and air conditioning.
- For travelers to endemic areas: Consult CDC travel health notices and consider vaccinations where available (e.g., Dengvaxia for prior infections).
“If you’ve been to a dengue area and feel feverish upon return, seek testing immediately – early detection saves lives,” advises the CDC’s Hawaii field office. Symptoms mimic flu but can escalate rapidly, especially in children and those with comorbidities.
Tourism stakeholders are also stepping up. Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau distributed 50,000 repellent packets at Waikiki hotels, while airlines like Hawaiian Airlines added dengue fact sheets to in-flight magazines. Economic impacts loom if perceptions shift; dengue fears shaved 2% off Big Island visitor numbers during the 2016 outbreak.
Broader Implications for Hawaii’s Tropical Disease Preparedness
Beyond dengue, officials eye synergies with other mosquito-borne threats like Zika and chikungunya. Climate models predict longer transmission windows as El Niño patterns warm Pacific waters, potentially boosting vector populations by 20% by 2030.
Hawaii DOH Plots Aggressive Path to Curb Dengue Through 2025 and Beyond
Looking forward, Hawaii’s DOH outlines a multi-pronged strategy to cap dengue cases below 20 for the year. Plans include expanding genomic surveillance to track virus strains, piloting Wolbachia-infected mosquito releases on Maui (proven 77% effective in trials abroad), and advocating for a state-wide “Dengue-Free Hawaii” app for reporting breeding sites.
Federal partnerships with CDC and EPA will inject $1.5 million for advanced traps and AI-driven risk mapping. Community education events kick off next week on Oahu, targeting 100,000 residents.
“We’re not just reacting; we’re building resilience,” stated Health Director Dr. Kenneth Hirata. “With collective action on mosquito control and travel precautions, Hawaii can protect its aloha spirit from dengue virus threats.” As rainy season approaches, all eyes remain on containment efforts to safeguard public health and the islands’ vital tourism economy.
