Latest news with #HawaiiDepartmentofHealth
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Zika Virus Is Back After 6 Years in One of the Most Popular U.S. Tourist Destinations
The Hawaii Department of Health is warning about a case of Zika virus on the island of Oahu — the first case since 2019 Typical symptoms include rash, fever, headache, joint pain, and pink eye; the virus is more dangerous for pregnant women because it can be transmitted to the fetus Residents are warned to use insect repellent and remove standingThe Hawaii Department of Health has confirmed at least one case of Zika on the island of Oahu, with two other suspected exposures to the virus. Zika is spread when a mosquito bites someone who is infected — but it can also spread through sex, the Cleveland Clinic explains. One in five people infected with Zika will develop symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms may include an itchy rash, fever, headache, joint pain, and pink eye. This year, Hawaii's first case of Zika was travel-related — meaning, it was not acquired on the island — the HDOH said in a May 27 statement, where it asked for help in controlling the mosquito population and reducing the risk of bites. Zika is especially dangerous for pregnant women because it can be transmitted to the fetus, causing microcephaly (a smaller head), improper brain development, and cerebral palsy. There is also risk of the fetus developing a condition called Congenital Zika Syndrome, which is a combination of severe conditions including a collapsed skull, severe microcephaly, a reduction in brain tissue, as well as problems with eyes, joints, and muscles. Hawaiians and visitors are urged to use insect repellent — specifically, 'products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency that contain 20–30% DEET' or picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535.' Property owners are urged to make sure screens are intact, doors are left closed and to remove standing water that may encourage mosquitoes to breed. This is Hawaii's first case of Zika since 2019, the statement says, noting that the state has Aedes species of mosquitos that carry the Zika virus. The HDOH said they've dispatched "vector control teams" to the areas of most concern, which include including Waialua and the popular surfer destination of Haleʻiwa on the North Shore of Oʻahu. The island is home to nearly 1 million residents, and is the location of popular destinations like Honolulu, Waikiki and Pearl Harbor — and most recently is where the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie was filmed. Read the original article on People
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
Traveling to Hawaii? What you need to know about recent health warnings
As Bay Area families prepare for summer trips to Hawaii with the school year coming to a close, health officials on the islands are urging visitors and residents to remain vigilant against several contagious diseases. On Monday, the Hawaii Department of Health confirmed a travel-related case of Zika virus on Oahu — the first in over five years — prompting renewed warnings about the mosquito-borne illness. The infected individual had visited the North Shore beach towns of Waialua and Haleiwa, popular for their quieter beaches and hiking trails. While the virus was not contracted locally, officials said, 'Travelers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites during their trips, and for three weeks after returning.' Zika virus poses particular risks to pregnant travelers because of potential birth defects. To reduce risk, the department recommends using EPA-approved insect repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants during daylight hours when mosquitoes are active, and staying in screened or air-conditioned accommodations. The Department of Health reported 108 cases so far this year, surpassing the 84 recorded in all of 2024, and said recent infections 'have increased at a worrying rate.' 'Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease spread through the air via the coughs or sneezes of an infected person,' the department said. Officials emphasize the importance of up-to-date vaccinations, noting that Hawaii's vaccination rates have declined since 2019. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases are on the rise on the islands as summer travel picks up. More than 200 new cases were confirmed last week, though officials believe many go unreported. The rapid spread of a highly contagious new omicron variant, NB.1.8.1, detected in Hawaii and six other states, has raised concerns, even though experts say it is unlikely to cause more severe illness. On Monday, Governor Josh Green criticized U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent announcement that healthy children and pregnant women would no longer be routinely recommended for COVID-19 vaccination under the Trump administration. 'By removing the capacity to vaccinate people under age 65 for the most part, you're going to see more spread,' said Green, a physician, calling the policy a 'big mistake.' 'You want to make it easier for people to choose. I'm not mandating anything. Choose what vaccinations you want. So, I'm gonna have to fight that,' Green added. He also warned, 'these guys are going to kill Americans by making it harder to get vaccinated. And then there's going to be a lot of hell to pay, because innocent people who can't get the vaccine if they want it, I think they're going to have the right to sue the federal government, in my opinion.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Top honeymoon destination is hit by highly contagious disease as 108 cases are reported
A top honeymoon destination is seeing a major outbreak of a highly contagious disease. Hawaii health officials announced last week that pertussis - perhaps better known as whooping cough - is on the rise in the popular tourist hotspot at a 'worrying rate,' according to Spectrum Local News. As of May 15, the state had already recorded 108 cases this year - surpassing last year's total cases of 84, the State of Hawaii Department of Health reported. It called whooping cough a 'highly contagious respiratory disease' that spreads from bacteria through the air. At first, the symptoms can resemble a cold - but they can quickly progress to 'intense coughing fits.' In children, those fits could be followed by a 'deep breath' that makes a 'whooping sound' due to clogged airways that are not fully formed, Fox News reports. Complications from the disease 'can be serious and even life-threatening, especially for infants and young children who are not fully vaccinated,' health officials warned. Those complications can include pneumonia, seizures, apnea, encephalopathy (a disease of the brain) - and even possibly death. 'Pertussis is insidious and can be easily mistaken for other respiratory diseases - including viruses,' Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel warned. He explained that whooping cough - which is a bacterial infection - can be treated with routine antibiotics but it is 'easily missed.' 'The best protection is vaccination, including repeated boosters in teens and adults,' Siegel suggested. The DTaP (diptheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine is administered to children under the age of seven, while the Tdap (tetanus, diptheria and pertussis) vaccine is available for older children and adults. Neha Pathak, WebMD chief physician editor, told Fox News that about 98 out of 100 children who get the DTaP vaccine are protected from the diseases for at least one year after a fifth dose and about 70 percent are still protected up to five years later. She also said she suggests pregnant woman get the Tdap jab during their third trimester to pass antibodies onto their newborns who are too young to get the DTaP vaccine. Dr. Siegel further claimed that DTaP is 'highly effective' in children with nearly 100 percent protection with appropriate dosages. Still, multiple doses are also generally recommended for infants, children and adults. But in Hawaii, health officials say vaccination rates 'for all routinely-recommended vaccinations for school entry - including those for measles, pertussis, polio and varicella (chicken pox)' have declined since 2019. Its vaccination levels are now even below the national average, according to Hawaii News Now. 'The uptick in pertussis cases is concerning, but not surprising given what we are seeing with vaccine hesitancy,' Pathak said. In fact, the rise in pertussis cases in Hawaii comes as experts warn America is poised for a measles explosion if vaccine rates continue to fall at their current pace. The research from Stanford University estimates that just a five percent decline in coverage with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) would lead to an estimated 5.7 million measles cases and at least 2,500 deaths over the next 25 years. That's the equivalent of 228,000 cases and 320 deaths each year. And in a devastating scenario, a 50 percent decline in vaccinations could flood the country with the life-threatening disease, potentially leading to 51 million cases, including 10.3 million hospitalizations and between 151,200 and 164,700 deaths. For context, the US has confirmed 5,567 measles cases over the past 25 years, averaging 223 per year. In 2019 alone, there were nearly 1,300 cases; in 2020, just 13. If rates stay where they are, the US could lose its measles elimination status within two decades. The US is facing its largest measles outbreak in 30 years, centered in Gaines and Lubbock counties, West Texas, where just 74 percent and 92 percent of children are vaccinated, respectively. Texas has confirmed 728 measles cases so far, with over 400 in Gaines County alone. Two children in Texas and one in New Mexico have died. New Mexico has reported 71 cases. Hawaii also confirmed two cases in April, but health officials since concluded there was no further spread. Still, health officials in the Aloha State warn they are not out of the woods on that yet, either. 'Measles cases in the United States continue to rise, with more than 1,000 cases already reported across 30 states this year,' they said in the news release last week. 'The risk remains high for future travel-related measles cases reaching Hawaii and DOH recommends continued vigilance efforts to increase the MMR vaccination rate.' It then stressed its 'strong' recommendation for children and adults to stay up-to-date on all vaccinations.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Straits in Kakaako closed with red placard due to violations
The Hawaii Department of Health on Thursday issued Straits Hawaii at Ward Village a red placard due to several violations, shutting it down until the infractions are addressed. The placard was issued to Straits Hawaii LLC, owner of Straits Restaurant & Lounge at 1060 Auahi St., after inspectors found multiple violations during a routine inspection related to hand-washing practices, food-storage temperatures, and the sanitation of equipment, according to the Health Department. According to the inspection report, multiple food safety violations were observed, including that nobody on site was in charge to ensure safe food operations ; workers were unable to properly wash their hands due to the condition of hand washing sinks ; and employees were not knowledgeable about proper hand hygiene. The workers were observed not washing their hands before putting on gloves, using cloth rags to dry hands, and touching contaminated cucumbers to be used for a salad, the report said. Other violations include food stored in refrigerators at unsafe temperatures, and pans of cooked and ready-to-eat foods stored in the walk-in refrigerator with dates exceeding the seven days allowed, according to the department. Additionally, hot water was not available for the proper cleaning of food equipment, the report said. Straits Restaurant & Lounge at Ward Village in Kakaako offers Singaporean cuisine and a variety of dishes with the flavors of Southeast Asia. Besides brunch, lunch and dinner service, Straits offers a happy hour and late night service at its bar and lounge. See more : 37 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? .
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Low levels of PFAS detected in water system serving Central Maui
COURTESY DOH COURTESY DOH The Hawaii Department of Health said low levels of PFAS, or 'forever chemicals, ' were detected in water samples collected from a system that serves a portion of Central Maui. Samples collected from Conolidated Baseyards water system wells were found to contain low levels of Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid (PFHxS ). The detections were sporadic, with concentrations ranging from none to 2.2 nanograms per liter. The positive samples were collected on July 11, 2023, when 2.0 nanograms per liter were detected, and again on March 24 of this year, when 2.2 nanograms per liter were detected. No detections of PFHxS were found on Oct. 5, 2023, and on April 21 of this year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's maximum contaminant level for PFHxS is 10 nanograms per liter. PFAS, short for or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been used since the 1940s in consumer products such as food packaging, carpets, cookware and other items designed to be waterproof, stain-resistant or nonstick. They are also a component of firefighting foam, and have many industrial uses. DOH issued the press release in accordance with state law. See more : 0 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? .
