Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi has declared a state of emergency to help tackle the mosquito-borne dengue fever outbreak on Hawaii island.

An immediate effect of the proclamation issued Monday is suspension of a county law that prohibits the acceptance of tires at county landfills. Officials say the tires fill up with water and provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The emergency period is in effect for 60 days and could be extended.

Since late October there have been 251 confirmed cases of dengue fever on the Big Island. Of those cases, on Monday there were two confirmed cases of potentially infectious individuals with the onset of illness between Jan. 29 and Feb. 1, according to the state Department of Health.

In a news release, Gov. David Ige expressed support for the county’s effort and outlined conditions through which the mosquito-borne virus would touch off a statewide emergency proclamation. The conditions include: if the outbreak spreads to other islands; if the outbreak expands to include Zika and other vector-borne diseases; if addressing the outbreak necessitates waiving certain laws and regulations; and if the state determines it will need federal assistance.

Meanwhile, the state is working to release a Health Department budget restriction so that it can fund eight vector control positions, one entomologist and one communications position. In December the state released $250,000 to respond to the onset of the outbreak.

The DOH’s Vector Control Branch is less than half the size it was before budget cuts in 2008-2009. It has two entomologists, down from four, and 25 vector control staffers, down from 56. The Health Department has just one communications person, down from five.

Sen. Josh Green (D, Naa-lehu-Kailua-Kona) said he is among a group of state lawmakers waiting for Ige to declare an emergency proclamation.

Green, an emergency room physician, contends that the state isn’t doing enough to address the problem. With infectious disease, “when it breaks loose, it can be very scary and go very quickly,” he said.

“This is not just about West Hawaii and the Big Island. This is certainly about the entire state. If we don’t act (now) and there’s suddenly an outbreak on Maui and Oahu, it will have devastating statewide effects,” he said.

Green said the state should go into “prevention mode” rather than waiting to see whether the outbreak spreads to other islands and proliferates.

Dengue is a viral infection spread via mosquitoes that bite an infected person and then carry the virus to the next person. While it’s not endemic to Hawaii, it is intermittently imported from endemic areas by infected travelers.

Travel to Hawaii island is not affected by the proclamation.

The Hawaii High School Athletic Association said state tournaments slated to be held on the Big Isle “will proceed as scheduled.” Chris Chun, executive director of the athletic association, said the Health Department confirmed Hilo, where championships will be held, remains a low-risk area.

Chun recommends students from participating schools avoid areas with a high presence of mosquitoes and closed parks such as Hookena and Milolii beach parks; cover up with light-colored clothing; and use mosquito repellent on exposed skin.

Dengue emergency proclamation