Question: The state should be telling people to get rid of old tires, to empty and cover rubbish cans and to clear out foliage, especially during the rainy season. We need to wake people up so they clean up their yards, because now we have people getting sick from mosquitoes. I’d like to see a public information campaign like this on an annual basis, not just after someone has dengue fever. Why isn’t this being done?

Answer: It is, although perhaps not on as broad a scale as necessary, given that you were unaware of the Department of Health’s ongoing efforts to inform people how to curtail the spread of the mosquito-borne virus dengue fever — efforts that have intensified in the wake of at least 10 cases reported on the Big Island.

The state Health Department maintains relevant information on its website, issues news releases after big storms reminding people not to let water stagnate on their property, and shares information regularly through other channels, said Janice Okubo, Health Department spokeswoman. “This isn’t a seasonal disease, so we wouldn’t do a once-a-year announcement,” she said. “It can persist whenever there are mosquitoes around, so it’s important to be aware year-round.”

You’re correct, though, that Hawaii residents play a major role in controlling the mosquitoes that transmit the painful disease to humans through bites. Eliminating standing water, which is a fertile mosquito breeding ground, is key.

According to the state Health Department and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

>> Items that collect rainwater or purposely or inadvertently store water (for example, kiddie pools and other plastic toys, 55-gallon drums, buckets or used automobile tires) should be covered or properly discarded.

>> Pet and animal watering containers and vases with fresh flowers should be emptied and cleaned (to remove mosquito eggs) at least once a week.

>> Plants that hold water, such as bromeliads, should be flushed with a hose or soapy-water spray once a week.

>> Fishponds, unused swimming pools or other large containers that cannot be removed or emptied of standing water should be stocked with mosquito-eating fish, such as guppies.

>> Roof gutters should be cleaned regularly.

Q: Will the Health Department come spray my property for mosquitoes? I am elderly and can’t take care of this on my own.

A: No, unless your property has been identified by the Department of Health as a likely source of mosquitoes spreading dengue fever on the Big Island.

In general, the state Health Department advises people seeking immediate, temporary mosquito control to eliminate adult mosquitoes with aerosol insecticide labeled for flying insects and to control mosquito larvae in breeding sites that cannot be emptied or removed by using insecticides specifically labeled for that purpose. If you are unable to handle this task on your own, you’d be advised to hire a commercial pest-control company to keep the pests at bay.

The Health Department is being notified about areas of concern based on physician reports of illness, disease investigations and laboratory analysis, said Okubo. “Spraying of areas by the Department of Health is determined by information from disease investigations,” she said. “The department’s Hawaii District Health Office is asking local businesses, organizations and other government agencies to assist with mosquito-control efforts and take ownership of control efforts needed for their properties.”

Q: Is dengue only on the Big Island?

A: At press time all current cases are on the Big Island; the Health Department reported a low risk of it spreading to the other islands. However, the types of mosquitoes capable of transmitting dengue fever are present statewide, and there have been past cases on other islands, “although not frequently or recently,” according to the Health Department.

Q: Is there a vaccine for dengue fever?

A: No. The best preventive measure is to eliminate places where mosquitoes lay eggs, as described above, according to the CDC.

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