The state Department of Health confirmed four more cases of mumps in the islands Thursday, bringing the year’s total to 20, as well as one additional case of rat lungworm, which brings that total for that disease to 14 cases.
Janice Okubo, DOH spokeswoman, said two of the new mumps cases are related to two previously announced clusters. The other two are not related to previously announced cases, Okubo said.
The new tally is the highest number of mumps cases recorded in at least a decade.
As for rat lungworm, the new case involves one of the adults who was previously reported as a highly probable case on April 19. Lab test results for that case came in positive this week, confirming the illness, Okubo said.
Rat lungworm disease, so far linked to Hawaii island and Maui, is caused by a parasite found in rodents, which can pass the parasite to snails, slugs, crabs and other creatures. It can cause damage to the brain and spinal cord, and bring nausea, severe pain and temporary paralysis.
Maui
Homeless told to leave beach
About 100 homeless people who set up camp in woods near Paia have been given less than three weeks to leave following a year of complaints about them from beachgoers.
They reported thefts, harassment and trash accumulation, county spokesman Rod Antone told The Maui News.
A notice was posted at Baldwin Beach Bark telling the homeless people they must leave by May 23 because of what Antone called a public health and safety issue.
Kauai
Hit-and-run driver hurts cyclist
Kauai police are looking for the driver of a vehicle that hit and seriously injured a 47-year-old bicyclist in Kapaa on Thursday night.
Police said the hit-and-run incident occurred just after 6 p.m. on Kawaihau Road near the Bettencourt Lane intersection.
The westbound vehicle struck the Kapaa woman as she was riding her bicycle in the westbound lane. She then struck a reflector post and landed in a ditch.
Bystanders assisted the woman until police, firefighters and medics arrived. She was taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.
Police closed Kawaihau Road earlier while the Traffic Safety Section investigated.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 241-1711. Anonymous tipsters may call Kauai CrimeStoppers at 246-8300.
