Latest news with #HawaiiDOH
Newsweek
31-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Health Officials Confirm Virus in Popular Vacation Destination
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a travel-related case of Zika virus on Oahu and identified two others who may have been exposed, prompting a public warning to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate breeding grounds. Newsweek has reached out to the Hawaii DOH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for comment via email. Why It Matters Zika is predominantly spread by an infected Aedes species mosquito, although the CDC notes that it can also spread through sex or to a fetus during pregnancy. There is no vaccine to prevent or treat Zika virus at this time. An infection known to cause birth defects, Zika gained national attention in 2015 when a cluster of cases in Brazil produced an uptick in babies born with abnormally small heads. Oahu is a popular tourist destination that is home to numerous beaches, volcanos, and Peal Harbor, among other attractions. What To Know In a May 27 press release, Hawaii's DOH confirmed that an individual on the Oahu Island has Zika virus. The department is calling upon residents, visitors, and businesses to prevent the virus by taking certain precautions such as: Applying insect repellent (Use products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency that contain 20–30% DEET) Wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants Keep mosquitos out of homes and businesses by ensuring screens are intact and doors are kept closed Remove standing water around home and buildings Zika virus symptoms are typically mild and may include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes and muscle pain. Most people don't know if they contract Zika and about one in five people with Zika have mild symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, the virus is most concerning for pregnant woman as it can prevent the "fetus's brain from developing properly" the CDC states. Health officials recommend using protection during sexual activity to limit the potential spread of the virus. The most recent travel-related case in Hawaii was reported in 2019, the Hawaii DOH said in the press release. Zika outbreaks were much more common years ago, with an epidemic between 2014 and 2017 in the Americas. A mosquito feeds at the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District on July 26, 2023, in Salt Lake City. A mosquito feeds at the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District on July 26, 2023, in Salt Lake City. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer What People Are Saying The official Nobel Prize X, formerly Twitter, account wrote on May 13: "There are now new opportunities for the development of future vaccines against influenza, Zika, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), thanks to the work of two Nobel Prize laureates who developed mRNA technology to produce COVID-19 vaccines in a remarkably short timeframe." What Happens Next "Vector control teams" have been dispatched to the area around where the individual was, including Haleiwa. While there is currently no specific treatment for Zika virus, multiple vaccine candidates are currently in development.
Fox News
27-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
American honeymoon hotspot hit by highly contagious illness, health officials warn
While cases of measles continue to spread throughout the U.S., Hawaii is reporting a new type of infectious spread. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is on the rise at a "worrying rate" in the Aloha State, the State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) confirmed last week in a news release. As of May 15, there have been 108 cases of pertussis reported, already exceeding the 84 total cases in 2024. The DOH labeled pertussis a "highly contagious respiratory disease" that spreads through the air when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. Symptoms often resemble a cold but can progress to "intense coughing fits." For children, these coughing fits can be followed by a "deep breath" that makes a "whooping" sound. "Health complications can be serious and even life-threatening, especially for infants and young children who are not fully vaccinated," the DOH warned. Complications can include pneumonia, seizures, apnea, encephalopathy (a disease of the brain) and death. The most effective way to prevent pertussis is through vaccination, according to the DOH. The DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine is administered to children under 7 years old and the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine is for older children and adults. Multiple doses are generally recommended for infants, children and adults. "High vaccination rates protect individuals and communities and prevent cases from becoming outbreaks," the agency noted. "However, vaccination rates for all routinely recommended vaccinations for school entry – including those for measles, pertussis, polio and varicella (chickenpox) – have declined nationally and in Hawaii since 2019." Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel confirmed that Hawaii is below the national average in terms of childhood vaccines, noting that the DTaP vaccine is "highly effective" in children, with close to 100% protection with appropriate dosages. "Pertussis is insidious, and can be easily mistaken for other respiratory diseases, including viruses," Siegel told Fox News Digital. "Pertussis, which is a bacteria, can be treated with antibiotics like doxycycline but is easily missed. The best protection is vaccination, including repeated boosters in teens and adults." Siegel explained that the "characteristic whoop" sound among children is caused by clogged airways that are not yet well-developed. About one-third of babies under 1 year who contract whooping cough are at risk of hospitalization, according to the doctor. "The best protection is for everyone around them to be vaccinated," he said. "Pertussis outbreaks are now connected to a drop-off in early childhood vaccination." "Pertussis outbreaks are now connected to a drop-off in early childhood vaccination." Neha Pathak, MD, WebMD chief physician editor, echoed that pertussis is "still a significant public health threat," especially for infants and people with weakened immune systems. "The DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine offers strong protection to children — about 98 out of 100 children are protected for at least a year after the fifth dose, and about 70% are still protected for up to five years," she said in an interview with Fox News Digital. While vaccines like measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) can provide lifelong protection, pertussis immunity decreases over time, which means boosters are necessary for adolescents and adults, Pathak noted. "The uptick in pertussis cases is concerning, but not surprising given what we are seeing with vaccine hesitancy," she commented. "Pregnant women should also get the Tdap vaccine during their third trimester to pass antibodies to their newborns, protecting them before they can be vaccinated," the doctor suggested. Hawaii confirmed two cases of measles in early April and concluded there was no further community spread. Despite the current situation being under control, the health department warned that measles exposure is still a threat among travelers. For more Health articles, visit "Measles cases in the United States continue to rise, with more than 1,000 cases already reported across 30 states this year," the department noted. "The risk remains high for future travel-related measles cases reaching Hawaii, and DOH recommends continued vigilance and efforts to increase the MMR vaccination rate." The DOH stressed its "strong" recommendation for children and adults to stay up to date with recommended vaccinations for disease prevention.
