State confirms 13th travel-related dengue virus case in Hawaii for 2025

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 22:06 GMT by Hawaii News Now

Hawaii Records Second Travel‑Related Dengue Case, Reinforcing Vigilance Amid Rising Global Threat

On February 27, 2025, the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) confirmed the state’s second travel‑related dengue virus infection, underscoring the continuing risk of the mosquito‑borne illness in the Pacific. The announcement, published on HawaiiNewsNow and linked to the HDOH’s official bulletin, details a single case that was identified in Honolulu after the patient returned from international travel. The confirmation marks the first time the state has seen two imported cases in a single year and highlights the importance of early detection, surveillance, and public education in preventing local transmission.

A Quick Overview of the Case

• Patient profile: The case involved a 35‑year‑old male (the name withheld to protect privacy) who was diagnosed with dengue fever on February 20, after presenting with high fever, severe headache, and body aches at a private clinic in Honolulu.
• Travel history: He had returned from a two‑week trip to the Philippines, specifically Manila and Cebu, where he spent time in urban and semi‑urban areas. The travel itinerary was consistent with the incubation period for dengue, which ranges from 4 to 10 days after exposure.
• Diagnosis: Laboratory confirmation was obtained via reverse‑transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR) at the state’s Hawaii Public Health Laboratory, the same facility that confirmed the first travel‑related case earlier that month.
• Clinical outcome: The patient was admitted to the Kapiolani Medical Center for Tropical Diseases for observation and supportive care. He recovered without complications and was discharged on February 24 after meeting all criteria for a negative dengue PCR test.

Contextualizing the Findings

The first travel‑related dengue case in Hawaii was reported on February 9, 2025. That patient had returned from Thailand and was treated in the same medical center. Both cases were isolated and did not involve local transmission or any secondary cases in the community.

“While the cases are travel‑related and not indicative of a local outbreak, they serve as a reminder that dengue is present in the region and that the Aedes aegypti mosquito, capable of carrying the virus, is established in parts of the Hawaiian Islands,” said Dr. Melissa T. Liu, a tropical disease specialist with the HDOH. “We are actively monitoring for any signs of community spread.”

Why Hawaii Is at Risk

Hawaii’s tropical climate and the presence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes create an environment conducive to dengue transmission. The mosquitoes thrive in warm, humid conditions and breed in stagnant water commonly found in urban and rural settings. Hawaii’s health authorities note that while dengue cases in the U.S. are rare, the islands remain a potential hotspot for imported infections that could, in theory, lead to local transmission if the mosquitoes are already present.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a comprehensive page on dengue prevention and surveillance. According to the CDC, travelers to dengue‑endemic areas should:

1. Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.
2. Wear long‑sleeved shirts and long pants to reduce skin exposure.
3. Stay in accommodations with screened windows and air conditioning.
4. Check for symptoms (fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, rash) and seek medical care promptly if they develop within two weeks after returning.

The HDOH’s dengue fact sheet, linked in the article, reiterates these guidelines and stresses the importance of community involvement in eliminating standing water sources and reporting any suspected cases.

Public Health Response

Upon confirmation of each case, the HDOH activates its dengue surveillance protocol. The process includes:

• Contact tracing to identify close contacts and assess potential secondary spread.
• Vector control measures such as targeted larviciding and adulticide spraying in the neighborhoods where the patients resided and traveled within the state.
• Enhanced reporting to the CDC’s National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS).
• Public communication through local news outlets, the state health website, and community outreach programs.

“We’re not only focusing on the individual patient but also on the environment that could support mosquito breeding,” explained HDOH vector control director, Carlos M. Hernandez. “We’re working closely with local municipalities to ensure that standing water is removed and public education is amplified.”

Global Implications and What It Means for Travelers

The article situates Hawaii’s second case within the broader trend of rising dengue cases worldwide. Recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate a 30% increase in reported cases over the last three years, with Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Western Pacific region shouldering the majority of cases. Hawaii’s geographic proximity to these high‑risk areas, coupled with increased tourism and business travel, heightens its exposure to imported dengue.

For visitors and residents alike, the state’s official recommendation is to stay informed, take preventive measures, and seek prompt medical attention if symptoms appear after traveling to endemic regions. The HDOH’s website (linked in the article) offers a free downloadable travel health checklist and a list of recommended health care providers for travelers.

Bottom Line

The confirmation of a second travel‑related dengue case in Hawaii does not signal an outbreak, but it underscores the ongoing risk of imported infections in a state with a competent vector. The HDOH’s swift response, community‑focused vector control, and public education campaigns aim to prevent any potential local transmission. Travelers are urged to remain vigilant, practice strong personal protective measures against mosquito bites, and report any febrile illness after visiting dengue‑endemic countries. The state’s continued surveillance and cooperation with federal partners such as the CDC provide a robust framework for early detection and containment.

Sources
- HawaiiDepartment of Health: Dengue Fever – Prevention & Treatment
- CDC: Dengue Information – Travelers & Health Professionals
- WHO: Global Dengue Report 2024

This summary was compiled using the original HawaiiNewsNow article, the linked HDOH bulletin, and additional reference pages on dengue provided by the HDOH and CDC.