- On the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, a case of travel-related Zika has been reported.
- The virus did not originate in Hawaii but was introduced by a traveler who had been infected. Zika can spread to other people if the infected person is bitten again by a mosquito.
- Oahu officials are currently monitoring two other suspected Zika exposures.
If you are planning to visit Oahu in the summer of 2018, be aware that mosquitoes have returned on the island.
The Zika virus was detected for the first time in 2019 on a plane. OahuHawaii Department of Health has confirmed one case. Two other Zika cases are suspected. One case of Zika in Hawaii was brought by a traveling tourist and not from the island. Hawaii is not affected by the virus.
The virus can spread from a person infected to a mosquito and then to another individual. Hawaii is home to the type of mosquitoes that spread Zika. But the virus itself hasn’t been detected in the state.
“The DOH requests support to reduce the spread of Zika, which is transmitted by mosquitoes.” Vector control teams are responding and will continue operations in areas where the individuals spent time, including neighborhoods in Waialua/Haleʻiwa area on Oʻahu,” the Hawaii Department of Heath said in a statement Obtaining by Travel + Leisure. “DOH will monitor mosquito activity and implement additional control measures if necessary.”
Zika virus symptoms include fever, rash or hives, joint pain and pink eye. According to the Hawaii Department of Health, 80 percent of Zika infections are asymptomatic. The virus can cause severe birth defects in a fetus, and is especially dangerous to pregnant women.
Zika is spread primarily by mosquitoes that have already bitten a person infected with Zika. Sexual contact can also spread the virus. Other, less common means of transmission include infected blood transplants, infected kidney transplants, breastfeeding or occupational exposure to healthcare workers.
The Department of Health encourages both residents and visitors to take precautions to prevent the spread of Zika virus by applying EPA-approved insect repellent On exposed skin. Keep mosquitoes out of your building by closing doors properly, wearing loose fitting clothing, and removing any standing water that could become a breeding place for mosquitoes.
The DOH issued a statement that stated, “Travelers are advised to take precautions in order to avoid mosquito bites while on their trip and for the three weeks following their return.” “Travelers returning to an area at risk of Zika must take steps to prevent mosquitoes bites during the three-week period following their return. If you experience symptoms in the first two weeks following a visit to an area at risk for Zika, consult your doctor and let them know that it is possible you were exposed. Travelers who don’t have symptoms are not recommended to be tested.
Oahu, the third-largest island in Hawaii, is home to Honolulu. The island is known for its beautiful beaches (including Waikiki Beach), luxurious hotels and great surfing.
