Big Island officials close Ho'okena Beach Park to reduce dengue fever threat

 

UPDATE 16 November 2015: 56 cases of dengue fever on the Big Island have been confirmed by the Hawai’i Department of Health.

Of those infected, 46 are Hawai’i residents while ten have been visitors. Fifteen of those impacted are under the age of 18.

Over the weekend, DOH crews conducted spraying operations in a widely spanned area of the Big Island, including Napoopoo, Honaunau, Captain Cook, Ookala, Papaaloa, Kea’au and Mountain View on Sunday, as well as areas in South Kona.

CAPTAIN COOK, BIG ISLAND- Big Island officials have closed Ho'okena Beach Park in Captain Cook to reduce the dengue fever threat and conduct mosquito control. The closure comes in the wake of an outbreak of the illness on the Big Island. Dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes.

There have been at least 11 cases of locally-acquired dengue fever reported on Hawaii Island. Officials have said the cases popped up all around the island, but the Health Department is focusing its vector control efforts around Kona.

In a Civil Defense message on Wednesday, officials said Hookena Beach Park would be closed "until further notice." "This action is necessary to allow for health and parks department staff to conduct mosquito control and pesticide treatments," the message said.

From Hawaii NewsNow