Travellers to Pacific islands urged to avoid mosquito bites after Maui dengue case

Hawaii's Department of Health (DOH) confirmed another travel-related dengue case on Maui on 21 October 2026, bringing the state's total for the year to 10. The case came about a week after the ninth was confirmed.

Health officials said the person was exposed to the virus while travelling in a Pacific Island region where dengue is common. Every dengue case reported in Hawaii this year has involved travel to Pacific Island countries and territories.

Key facts

• 10 travel-related dengue cases confirmed in Hawaii so far in 2026
• Cases by island: seven on Oahu, two on Maui, one on Kauai
• All cases involved travel to Pacific Island countries and territories
• DOH confirmed 15 dengue cases in Hawaii in total last year
• Report suspected cases to the Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586

Are the cases connected?

DOH said it found no link between the latest case and the earlier ones in Hawaii. Teams have been deployed to carry out mosquito control measures in the affected area, which DOH did not disclose.

DOH said in a news release that "the risk of transmission is expected to be low," but urged the public to remove standing water where possible, since this limits mosquito breeding and can reduce the risk of local transmission of vector-borne diseases.

Where is dengue a risk?

Dengue is a viral illness spread by mosquito bite and is a year-round risk in many tropical and subtropical parts of the world, including Central and South America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.

DOH noted that several countries are currently reporting higher-than-usual dengue numbers among returning U.S. travellers: Costa Rica, Cuba, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Panama, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

What this means for travellers

Hawaii has Aedes mosquitoes, which can carry dengue, but the disease is not endemic or established in the state — cases there are currently limited to travellers. Anyone who develops symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, rash or body aches within two weeks of returning from a dengue-affected area should seek medical evaluation, and those who suspect an infection should call the Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586.

Travellers heading to Pacific Island destinations can reduce their risk by removing standing water around where they stay and taking steps to avoid mosquito bites.