Updated 4 p.m., 11/9/2015

With the number of confirmed cases of dengue fever rising to 27, state officials are ramping up efforts to advise residents and visitors on how to stay safe when visiting Hawaii.

Sen. Josh Green, a Big Island physician, has personally treated patients in recent weeks and is working with hospitals and schools to ensure there is proper communication to report suspected cases, according to a Senate release.

“I’m concerned not only about the immediate well-being and safety of our residents and visitors, but also the real long-term health and economic impacts an outbreak like this can have on the state,” he said.

“Unless people become aware of the seriousness of this virus and take action, I’m worried the infection will spread and impact will grow,” Green said. “There may likely be more confirmed, as well as real but unconfirmed, clinical cases in the coming weeks. However, dengue can be stopped if we all do our part to reverse the outbreak.”

State health officials provided an update on the outbreak this afternoon, confirming four new cases since Friday.

Green recommended taking these measures to avoid the spread of dengue fever:

• Applying mosquito repellants on exposed skin and clothing
• Wear long sleeves and pants, and lighter colored clothing, to limit exposure to mosquitos
• Eliminate standing water around the place of residence to reduce mosquito breeding
• Repair screens and jalousie windows

Key symptoms include sudden onset of high fever (in some case over 103 degrees), severe headaches especially behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and rash, the release says. It is rare, but bleeding can also occur with severe forms of dengue fever and is a medical emergency.

“Anyone who believes they may have contracted dengue should see a doctor immediately,” Green said. “People should take Tylenol for high fevers that may stem from dengue fever and NOT aspirin or ibuprofen, that can add to complications of this disease.”

Call your local health care providers and the DOH infectious disease branch at 808-586-4586 if you suspect you may have acquired the virus, the release says.

“Preventing dengue fever from becoming endemic in Hawaii will require a prolonged response from DOH, the county and state but most importantly, take good care now and call a health care provider if you feel sick,” Green said.

Of the 27 confirmed cases on the Big Island thus far, eight were visitors and 19 were local residents. All patients are recovering, according to the Health Department.

Health officials are holding a series of public information meetings over the next two weeks on the Big Island. Each meeting starts at 6 p.m.

It’s the first cluster of locally acquired dengue fever since the 2011 outbreak on Oahu, according to the Health Department.

“HDOH continues to routinely monitor for cases of imported dengue infection on ALL islands and will continue to have Vector Control perform mosquito site assessments and abatement as needed,” officials said in a statement on the department’s website. “Since the beginning of our current investigation on Hawaii island, one imported dengue fever case has been confirmed (on Oahu). This case is not associated with the Hawaii island investigation.”

Here’s the schedule: Monday at Yano Hall; Tuesday at Naalehu Community Center; Thursday at Konawaena High School cafeteria; Friday at Honokaa High School cafeteria; Nov. 16 at Hilo High School cafeteria; and Nov. 17 at Keaau High School Cafeteria.

For more information, visit the Health Department’s website here.