HAWAII ISLAND – There are no new cases of dengue fever to report today, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. The state says there are currently as many as 3 confirmed cases that are potentially infectious to mosquitoes. The remaining 238 cases that were counted since the outbreak began in September are no longer infectious.

Today’s update follows yesterday’s news that Kailua-Kona is now considered a high risk zone for acquiring dengue fever.

The health department went over the changes to the risk map during a weekly community meeting in Hilo on Thursday (video clip above).

The Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation will temporarily close four Kona Parks on Friday, January 29, to treat those facilities for mosquitoes. They are Kailua Playground, Kipapa Park, Harold H. Higashihara Park, and Arthur C. Greenwell Park, including Sgt. Rodney J. Yano Memorial Hall. A media release was issued about the closures on Thursday.

Four Kona Parks to Close Temporarily January 29 to Conduct Mosquito Treatments

The Department of Parks and Recreation will temporarily close four Kona parks on Friday, January 29, so those facilities can be treated for mosquitoes that have the potential to spread dengue fever.

While there is no indication that any of these parks are sources of possible infection, this measure is being employed as a proactive and preventative strategy for reducing mosquito concentrations and thereby lowering the risk of potential exposure.

The following parks are slated for treatments expected to start, weather permitting, at approximately 7 a.m. Friday, January 29:

– Kailua Playground, also known as “The Ghetto”

– Kipapa Park located on the mauka side of Ali‘i Drive, across from La‘aloa Bay Beach Park

– Harold H. Higashihara Park

– Arthur C. Greenwell Park, including Sgt. Rodney J. Yano Memorial Hall

Unauthorized persons will not be allowed to enter the affected parks until the treatment work is completed and the parks are cleared for public use. Signs will be posted at each park informing the public of the closures, spraying activity, and when the parks are reopened.

The Department of Parks and Recreation thanks park patrons and the general public for their understanding while it assists in the efforts to control the spread of dengue fever.

For more information, please contact Jason Armstrong, Public Information Officer, at 961-8311 or jarmstrong@hawaiicounty.gov.