HONOLULU – A news conference has been called by the office of Governor David Ige to “update on county/state response to the current Dengue Fever outbreak”.

The news conference will take place today (Tuesday, February 2) at 11:30 a.m. and will be held at the State Capitol on the 5th floor in the Governor’s Conference Room.

The state says the Governor will be joined by Hawai‘i Island Mayor Billy Kenoi, the administrator of the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency Vern Miyagi, and Darryl Oliveira, Hawaii Civil Defense Administrator and the outbreak Incident Commander.

A MoveOn.org petition asking the governor to declare a state of emergency currently has 759 signatures in support.

Last week, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard called for Governor Ige to declare a state of emergency due to the dengue fever outbreak.

Gabbard also called for completely free and accessible testing for those who suspect they have symptoms of Dengue Fever, more resources for a comprehensive public information and public engagement campaign, provide a full-time entomologist on Hawaiʻi Island, allocate resources to hire vector control personnel and purchase more spraying equipment, provide free supply and distribution of Ovitraps, and appoint a Dengue Czar who can act as the coordinator of efforts with all parties within the state.

The state plans to livestream the news conference through the governor’s website.

On February 1, the health department identified 2 new cases of dengue fever, bringing the total case count since the outbreak began in September to 244.