Hawaii – Big Island Declares State of Emergency

Hawaii’s Big Island has officially declared a state of emergency as a result of an outbreak of mosquito-borne dengue fever, which has infected at least 250 people over the last several months, the biggest outbreak since the 1940s. Symptoms are very similar to a traditional flu, but patients must be careful, as it can develop into the deadly dengue hemorrhagic fever. Measures are being taken to limit or avoid areas of standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Travelers should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.