Ige declares state emergency in fight against mosquito illnesses
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Gov. David Ige speaks as George Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, left, and Dr. Virginia Pressler, director of the Department of Health, look on during a press conference about vector and mosquito-borne illness today at the State Capitol.
Gov. David Ige sought to dampen tourist fears over mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever and the Zika virus by signing an emergency proclamation Friday that beefs up mosquito-fighting efforts on Hawaii island, which will free up staff to return to Oahu, Kauai and Maui.
Ige’s emergency proclamation releases $2 million that will include funding for 10 more positions for Hawaii island beginning next week, said state Health Director Virginia Pressler.
The 10 positions include an entomologist, eight vector control staff and a communications worker to help dispel misinformation, Pressler said.
Tourism officials from Hawaii, Japan, Korea and China filled Ige’s conference room as George Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, said everyone is “all in support of this action.”
“There’s no reason to be alarmed,” Szigeti said.
Hawaii island, the only county to be hit by the dengue fever outbreak since Oct. 21, has seen some visitor cancellations, Szigeti said.
“We have had a little bit on the Big Island, as can be expected,” Szigeti said.
Ige added, “We want to let the world know that we are taking action to reduce the possibility of vector-borne diseases.”
Hawaii island’s dengue fever outbreak is “endangering the health, safety, and welfare of the people and therefore constitutes a public health emergency,” Ige’s proclamation reads.
Ige demured when asked if his emergency proclamation was the equivalent of declaring a state of emergency against mosquito-borne illnesses.
Instead, he reiterated the details of the proclamation, which include suspending laws and procurement rules and allowing Pressler to “take any and all measures necessary” to control vector-related outbreaks.
The 60-day proclamation also allows for mandatory immuniations and closures of property, if necessary.
Ige’s proclamation follows an expected funding request by President Obama to combat the Zika virus and a decision by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to open its emergency operations center at Level 1 to prepare for the virus.
“There have been no locally acquired Zika cases in the U.S. or Hawaii, and we’d like to keep it that way,” Ige said in a statement following his press conference. “This is about getting in front of the situation across the state. I will be coordinating planning efforts with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, all county mayors and Civil Defense coordinators.”
17 responses to “Ige declares state emergency in fight against mosquito illnesses”
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This guy moves like a slug. This should have been done long ago, when the Dengue virus was initially discovered in Hawaii. One-term.
Aloha—gotta remember 60 years of Democratic inbreeding doesn’t make the mind work too fast.
I move like a slug, also, but I am not the Governor.
No new cases were last report last Wednesday. Hopefully it will stay that way. Then we will take this experience to prepare us for the Zika, Chika, Measles, Polio, TB, and encephalitis invasions after the Brazilian Olympics. Expect some filthy flesh-eating monsters from their permanently infect Guanabara Bay. Favella slums runoff. I think having Dengue is a good thing. Now we can see where we are deficient and form an coherent attack plan for future plagues. Be thankful we are USA and can get federal help in monies and from the CDC. Gotta go. Having a nice BBQ in my back yard.
http://bigislandnow.com/2016/02/10/no-new-dengue-cases-confirmed-on-the-big-island/
The governor “demured”?????
Ige was useless as a Senator from Pearl City and is more useless as governor. I wrote him a few times and all I ever got was a form letter reply.
I just got a holiday, family photo shot yesterday from his campaign.
He needs to put emergency measures into having the telescope built.
It’s gone! Can’t you see the writing on the wall!
Time to ban the HI5 fee container and convert it to a non refundable fee so we will not be saving the cans in the back yard to collect rain water.
Dumb, dumb, dumb!!!
Procrastination and neglect makes everything in Hawai’i an emergency.
This is way over due, but immediate vector control is also needed on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui as preventative measures. Why delay action when you can get control of the problem areas in advance of actual problems? Come on Governor, wake up.
Emergency proclamation was done for Tourists fear of mosquitos? Not for people of Hawaii?.
He wasted enough time.
““There’s no reason to be alarmed,” Szigeti said.”
“All is well”, Kevin Bacon said.
Said my piece a week ago when subject arose. Any disease has to be dealt with immediately. Taking a cue from others or leading from behind never helped anyone. Babies with Zika are short-changed for life! Sure do not care to be responsible for it occurring during on my watch?