Hawaiʻi DOH Confirms First Travel-Related Dengue Case; Vector Control Teams Deployed

The Hawai‘i Department of Health identified the state’s first travel-related dengue virus case of 2026 in a Maui resident and dispatched Vector Control Branch teams to the affected area to conduct inspections and mosquito-control measures. The announcement was issued in a Feb. 13, 2026 press release filed as 26-015 under the Office of Gov. Josh Green, M.D., with Kenneth S. Fink, M.D., MGA, MPH listed as DOH director in the release header.

DOH materials state, “The affected individual was exposed to the virus while traveling in a region where dengue is common.” The release reiterates, “While Hawai‘i is home to the mosquitoes that can carry dengue, the disease is not endemic (established) in the state and cases are currently limited to travelers,” and instructs the public to consult Disease Outbreak Control Division and Vector Control Branch web pages for more information.

“DOH teams have been deployed to conduct inspections and implement mosquito control measures in the affected area,” the department said. The Vector Control Branch conducts inspections and mosquito-reduction activities in areas with suspected or confirmed dengue cases, and DOH emphasized that “reducing mosquito populations lowers the risk of dengue transmission to others.” The department did not specify the town or neighborhood on Maui where teams are working.

Health context in Hawai‘i includes last year’s travel-related total of 15 confirmed dengue cases; in 2025 DOH reported 14 cases on O‘ahu and one on Maui. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified a higher-than-expected number of dengue cases among returning U.S. travelers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cook Islands, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua and Samoa, among other countries, though DOH has not linked this Maui case to a specific destination.

Clinical guidance provided in reporting notes advises that “If dengue symptoms, such as fever, nausea, vomiting, rash and body aches, develop within two weeks of return from dengue-affected areas, residents should seek medical evaluation.” Anyone who suspects a dengue infection is directed to call the DOH Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586; DOH’s general Info Line is listed as 808-586-4400.

Local reaction surfaced on social media after the DOH announcement. A MauiNow Facebook repost showed 23 reactions, 13 comments and 7 shares; commenters questioned transparency and control methods, writing, for example, “why wouldn't you mentioned WHAT areas of the island have it? helloooo [...]” and “Good reason to drain and demolish the underground parking structure immediately. Pilau that water!” Another user posted, “The cdc says no cure but there are natural remedies for this. It doesnt justify shutting down beaches and spraying larvacides in our water ways and catchment tanks.”

DOH reiterated prevention messaging for neighborhoods without reported cases: “In areas without reported dengue cases, eliminating mosquito breeding sites around the home is a helpful preventive measure.” The Feb. 13, 2026 press release 26-015 remains the primary DOH notice of the case and response.