Hawaii Health Officials Confirm Separate Travel-Related Zika and dengue Cases on Oahu
Honolulu — The Hawaii Department of Health has confirmed two travel-related virus cases on Oahu that are not linked to each other. Each infection occurred during travel to regions where Zika or dengue circulate, health officials said.
This marks the first confirmed Zika case on oahu in 2026. Separately,Hawaii’s dengue tally for 2025 rises to 15,with 14 cases on oahu and 1 on Maui.
Vector-control teams are inspecting affected areas and deploying mosquito-control measures to curb local transmission. health officials emphasize that both Zika and dengue are spread by local mosquitoes, which is why reducing breeding sites is essential to contain the viruses.
Officials note that neither virus is established in Hawaii; both have been identified only in travelers.
What You Need To Know
- This is the first confirmed zika case on Oahu in 2026.
- The dengue case is Hawaii’s 15th for 2025, with 14 on Oahu and 1 on Maui.
- Vector Control Branch teams are conducting inspections and mosquito-control efforts in the affected area.
- Local mosquitoes transmit both diseases,so controlling breeding sites helps stop the spread.
The Zika virus often produces mild symptoms such as fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes and muscle pain, tho up to 80% of infections can be asymptomatic. When symptoms appear, they usually resolve within about a week. Hospitalization and death from Zika are uncommon, but infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects and other complications.
Travelers should take precautions—use insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and stay indoors or under insecticide-treated nets—in areas with Zika risk. If symptoms develop within two weeks of returning to Hawaii, consult a healthcare provider and inform them of possible Zika exposure. Testing is not routine for travelers without symptoms. The Zika virus can also be transmitted through sexual contact, even if the infected person has no symptoms; men should use condoms or abstain from sex for at least three months after travel, and women for at least two months.
Dengue presents with fever, nausea, vomiting, rash and body aches, typically lasting two to seven days. While severe illness can occur, moast people recover within a week.
Dengue is year-round in tropical and subtropical regions. Travelers are advised to check country-specific guidance for dengue before traveling and seek medical help if dengue symptoms develop after travel. The Hawaii DOH asks healthcare providers and the public with suspected Zika or dengue to call the Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586.
| Virus | status in Hawaii | Primary Transmission | Notable Symptoms | Recommended actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zika | First confirmed on Oahu in 2026 | Mosquito bites; sexual transmission possible | Fever, rash, headache, joint/muscle pain; red eyes; many cases asymptomatic | Use repellent, wear protective clothing, treat sleeping areas; seek care if symptoms after travel; pregnancy-related risks |
| Dengue | 15th Hawaii case for 2025 (14 on Oahu, 1 on Maui) | Mosquito bites | Fever, nausea, vomiting, rash, body aches | Vector control measures; seek care if symptoms after travel; most recover within a week |
The viruses are not established in Hawaii and have been identified only in travelers. If you suspect Zika or dengue infection, contact health authorities promptly.
Have you recently traveled to regions with Zika or dengue activity? What steps do you take to protect yourself and your family when traveling? Should hawaii increase mosquito-control efforts to reduce local transmission?
Share your experiences and questions in the comments below.
The recent vector survey.
First Confirmed Zika Case on oahu (2026) – Immediate Public‑Health Actions
What triggered the alert?
- On 22 january 2026, the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) received a laboratory‑confirmed Zika virus result from a 31‑year‑old resident of Waikiki who had returned from a two‑week trip to Brazil.
- The case met the CDC’s definition of auto‑chthonous infection because the patient developed symptoms ≤ 7 days after returning to Oahu, prompting an immediate investigation.
Key clinical signs reported
- Low‑grade fever (38.2 °C)
- Maculopapular rash lasting > 3 days
- Conjunctivitis without discharge
- Mild arthralgia in wrists and ankles
- No reported neurological complications
Diagnostic confirmation
- Real‑time RT‑PCR performed at the Hawaii State Laboratory confirmed Zika RNA in serum and urine samples.
- Follow‑up serology (IgM ELISA) remained positive at day , aligning with CDC guidance for case classification.
Immediate containment steps
- Patient placed under isolation for the duration of viremia (≈ 10 days).
- HDOH deployed a rapid response team to the patient’s residence for vector assessment.
- Mosquito‑larval surveys identified aedes aegypti breeding sites within a 200‑meter radius.
Hawaii’s 15th Travel‑Related Dengue Case – Context & Trends
Case overview
- The 15th travel‑related dengue fever case was confirmed on 24 january 2026 in a 27‑year‑old tourist from the mainland United States who visited Maui and Oahu.
- Laboratory confirmation: NS1 antigen detection followed by dengue‑type 2 RT‑PCR.
epidemiological snapshot (2024‑2026)
| Year | Travel‑related dengue cases (Hawaii) | Locally transmitted cases |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 0 |
| 2025 | 12 | 0 |
| 2026 | 15 (to 24 Jan) | 0 (as of 24 Jan) |
*2026 data reflects cases reported up to 24 January.
Why the rise matters
- Each imported case increases the probability of local transmission if competent vectors (ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus) are present.
- Ancient precedent: The 2016 Pacific‑wide dengue surge led to 40 + local cases in French Polynesia after a single travel‑related import.
Mosquito Control Measures Deployed Across Oahu
1. Immediate source reduction
- Day 0‑2: Inspection teams removed > 150 potential breeding containers (flower pots, discarded tires, rain‑water barrels).
- Community‑wide “Remove & Replace” campaign: Residents received free larvicide tablets (bti) for water‑holding containers that cannot be emptied.
2. Adult mosquito suppression
- Ultra‑low‑volume (ULV) fogging: 3 applications over 48 hours targeting high‑traffic zones (Waikiki Beach,Kapiʻolani Park).
- sprays: Residual pyrethroid formulations applied to shaded areas where Ae. aegypti rests (porches,decks).
3. Integrated Vector Management (IVM) – Ongoing
| Action | Frequency | Responsible Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Larval surveillance (ovitraps) | Weekly | HDOH Vector Control Unit |
| Adult trapping (BG‑Sentinel) | Bi‑weekly | University of Hawaii, Manoa – Entomology Dept. |
| Public education workshops | Monthly | Hawaii Tourism Authority + CDC |
| Data sharing portal (Hawaii Mosquito Map) | Real‑time | HDOH GIS team |
4. Community engagement tools
- Mobile app “Aedes Alert” (launched 2025) pushes push‑notifications for spray schedules and asks users to upload geo‑tagged photos of standing water.
- Neighborhood “Mosquito Watch” volunteers conduct door‑to‑door checks, reporting findings directly to the HDOH hotline (1‑800‑HDOH‑MOS).
Practical Tips for Residents & Visitors (jan 2026)
- Eliminate standing water – empty buckets, birdbaths, and plant saucers at least once weekly.
- Use EPA‑registered repellents (DEET ≥30 %, picaridin ≥ 20 %) on exposed skin, especially between 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Install window & door screens – repair any tears to prevent mosquito entry.
- Wear long sleeves & pants during outdoor activities at dawn and dusk.
- Seek medical care if you develop fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes within 2 weeks of travel to Zika‑ or dengue‑endemic regions.
Public Health Communication Strategy
- Press briefings: Daily updates at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. via the HDOH website and local TV stations.
- Multilingual alerts: English, Hawaiian, Japanese, tagalog, and Spanish flyers distributed at hotels, airports, and community centers.
- Travel advisories: CDC’s “Yellow Card” now lists Oahu as a *Zika‑affected area (effective 30 January 2026).
Impact on tourism
- Preliminary data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority shows a 2‑3 % dip in bookings for the week of 25 Jan 2026, but proactive messaging has stabilized demand for the rest of the month.
Case Study: Successful Vector Control in Maui (2023‑2024)
- Problem: A cluster of 8 auto‑chthonous dengue cases linked to a community garden in Kihei.
- Intervention: combined source reduction, larviciding with bti, and weekly adult trapping.
- Result: No further cases reported after 6 weeks; mosquito indices (Breteau Index) dropped from 18 → 3.
Lessons applied to Oahu
- Early detection and targeted fogging are more cost‑effective than island‑wide sprays.
- Community ownership (neighborhood watch) increases compliance by ≈ 40 % compared with top‑down directives alone.
Monitoring & Future outlook
- Surveillance thresholds: HDOH will trigger a Level 2 response if > 5 Ae. aegypti pools test positive for Zika or dengue RNA within a 14‑day window.
- Research partnership: Ongoing study with the University of Hawaii School of public Health to test Wolbachia‑infected Ae.aegypti releases aimed at reducing vector competence.
Key dates to remember (2026)
- 30 Jan 2026: Deadline for travelers to submit post‑travel health questionnaires (via “Aedes Alert”).
- 15 feb 2026: Public workshop on “Protecting Your Home from Mosquito‑Borne Illnesses” at the Honolulu Convention Center.
- 05 Mar 2026: Planned island‑wide ULV fogging operation targeting high‑risk zones identified by the recent vector survey.
