THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2465

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to dengue fever.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is spread from human-to-human via mosquitos.  Mosquitos carrying the dengue virus are daytime biters that breed in small pools of water in tropical environments.  Adult mosquitos may be in locations largely inaccessible to outdoor spraying, which have thwarted mosquito control efforts.

     Dengue fever symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, joint or muscle pain, vomiting, and rash.  Approximately five per cent of ill patients develop severe dengue that is manifested by bleeding and shock.  Infection from one of the four known dengue viruses produces permanent immunity only to that virus, enabling up to four dengue infections over one's lifetime.  Therefore, proper recognition of impending severe dengue and clinical management greatly reduces morbidity and mortality.

     Approximately one hundred million dengue illnesses occur each year in endemic countries throughout the tropical world, including Hawaii.  In 2001, Hawaii experienced a dengue fever outbreak.  One hundred twenty-two laboratory confirmed cases of dengue fever were identified over a nine-month period between 2001 and 2002 with ninety-two cases on Maui, twenty-six cases on Oahu, and four cases on Kauai.  Recently, the Big Island has experienced an outbreak of dengue fever.  As of January 13, 2016, there have been two hundred fifteen confirmed cases of dengue fever on the island of Hawaii between September 2015 and January 2016.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the auditor to conduct a management audit to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the disease outbreak control division of the department of health in the division's response to the 2015 outbreak of dengue fever on the island of Hawaii; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds to the department of health for mosquito assessment and control efforts for the island of Hawaii to assist in reducing the occurrence and combatting the risk of dengue fever.

     SECTION 2.  The auditor shall conduct a management audit to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the disease outbreak control division of the department of health in the division's response to the 2015 outbreak of dengue fever on the island of Hawaii.  The management audit shall include, but not be limited to the efficiency and effectiveness of:

     (1)  Dengue fever outbreak response and measures;

     (2)  Mosquito assessment and controls;

     (3)  Community outreach;

     (4)  Outreach to health care providers;

     (5)  Laboratory testing;

     (6)  Communications;

     (7)  Coordination of response efforts;

     (8)  Collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;

     (9)  Implementation of best practices; and

    (10)  Any other matters that the auditor deems appropriate.

Furthermore, the auditor shall compare and contrast the disease outbreak control division's response to the 2011 dengue fever outbreak on the island of Maui with the 2015 dengue fever outbreak on the island of Hawaii.

     The auditor shall report to the legislature with its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for mosquito assessment and control efforts on the island of Hawaii to assist in reducing the occurrence and combatting the risk of dengue fever.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Dengue Fever; Department of Health; Management Audit; Auditor; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the auditor to conduct a management audit to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the disease outbreak control division of the department of health in the division's response to the 2015 outbreak of dengue fever on the island of Hawaii.  Appropriates funds to the department of health for mosquito assessment and control efforts for the island of Hawaii to assist in reducing the occurrence and combatting the risk of dengue fever.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.