Zika Outbreak News & Update: Hawaii Declares State Of Emergency

The state of Hawaii declared a state of emergency in order to fight mosquito borne illnesses including Zika virus and dengue fever.

According to Kezi TV, on Hawaii's Big Island the state has been in the midst of a dengue fever outbreak, with more than 250 confirmed cases. Hawaii Gov. David Ige declared on Friday in a news conference that there have been no locally transmitted cases of the Zika virus in the state. However, there are concerns that the islands could be at risk of a Zika virus outbreak because the same mosquitoes that can carry dengue fever also can carry the Zika virus.

Hawaii Gov. Ige said that the authorities are doing everything possible in order to stay proactive and prepared and prevent vector borne diseases in the state. The emergency proclamation comes to help the state acquire more financial funds in order to control outbreaks.

According to Fox News, after a December report from the Centers for Disease Control highlighted deficiencies in the state's vector control department, Hawaii is rushing to build up its mosquito control staff. During the economic downturn, Hawaii reduced its mosquito control and entomology staff to 25 positions in 2016 from 56 employees in 2009. The Department of Health plans to hire 10 new staffers with money the governor released and health officials are searching for more funding to rebuild the staff, according to Virginia Pressler, director of department..

According to George Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii is still a safe place to visit. Tourism is off to a strong start in 2016 and no travel advisories have been issued about Hawaii. Szigeti said that tourists have no reason to alter their traveling plans in the region or to be alarmed.

However, the reality is that on Pacific Islands, including American Samoa, there are active Zika outbreaks. Flights between Hawaii and American Samoa run several times per week.