The Department of Health on Monday added eight new cases to the mumps tally, bringing the statewide total to 89 this year.
The eight new cases since Thursday are Oahu residents and include children and adults, but none of the individuals needed hospitalization.
The disease, highly contagious, is spread through saliva or mucus by coughing, sneezing or talking, and through contact with objects or surfaces that have been contaminated. Swelling of the salivary glands, fever, headache, muscle ache, tiredness and loss of appetite are common symptoms.
The Health Department recommends adults born in or after 1957 without immunity to mumps or who cannot verify being vaccinated against mumps get one dose of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Those who have gotten a single dose are urged to consider a second.
DOH Immunization Branch Chief Ron Balajadia said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control came up with that cutoff date. Those born before 1957 were most likely exposed or had the disease because it was prevalent at the time.
Maui
Haleakala National Park pools remain closed to ensure safety
The Pools of Oheo remained closed as the National Park Service continues a safety assessment after a rockslide.
The pools, also called the Seven Sacred Pools, have been a popular attraction for tourists and residents in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park.
“We are keeping the pools closed out of an abundance of caution. The safety of park visitors and our employees is our primary concern,” park Superintendent Natalie Gates said by email Monday. “With current historic rainfall, we want to emphasize that any cliffside area in the park could be dangerous. Visitors should remain on designated trails at all times.”
The Jan. 3 rockslide was likely caused by over-saturated soil and heavy rainfall in the Kipahulu and Hana areas, the Park Service said in a news release. One person suffered minor injuries in the slide, which occurred in midafternoon.
For more information park visitors can call 572-4400 or check the park website (nps.gov/hale) or Facebook page.
Hawaii island
Driver arrested in fatal crash released from custody on bail
KAILUA-KONA >> A Hawaii driver accused of causing a crash that killed a man last month was released from jail.
Hawaii News Now reports 26-year-old Keempe Drequitos got out of jail Friday after his bail was reduced to $60,000 from $286,000. Drequitos is suspected of causing the crash on Hawaii island that killed 31-year-old Travis Serquina in May.
Police say he fled the scene. He was later charged with negligent homicide, manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving.
Drequitos’ lawyer says he is on supervised release and that the court does not consider him a flight risk, adding Drequitos has had multiple traffic violations but has never been convicted of a violent crime.
