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Hookena Beach closed as 4 more dengue fever cases confirmed

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
The Aedes albopictus mosquito is the main transmitter of dengue fever in Hawaii.

Four more cases of dengue fever on Hawaii island were confirmed by the state Department of Health today. That brings the number of locally acquired cases of dengue fever to 15. 

In each case, the infected individual was on Hawaii island. 

Hawaii County officials said this afternoon that Hookena Beach Park in West Hawaii will be closed until further notice to spray for mosquitoes.

Dengue is a viral infection spread via mosquitoes that bite an infected person and then carry the virus to the next person. People cannot infect other people. 

While dengue is not endemic to Hawaii, it is intermittently imported from endemic areas by infected travelers. 

This is the first cluster of locally acquired dengue fever since the 2011 outbreak on Oahu, when for cases were confirmed.

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