Dengue Fever Comes Too Close to Home

All is not well in paradise, here in PUNA on the Big Island of Hawaii.  A few weeks ago the first cases of Dengue Fever were reported on the Big Island over on the Kona side shortly after the Iron Man marathon...and day by day, there have been more and more reported cases -- slowly creeping across to the Hilo side.

The symptoms of Dengue Fever are SEVERE and there is NO REMEDY, NO SHOTS or PILLS you can take.  We just came in as we have daily, from spraying soapy water in and around all the most obvious places, emptied all plant bases, and gave everything a close look for more suspicious areas. There are reports that using young papaya as a supplement in juices can help the immune system fight some of the symptoms. 

Delivered by Health Department today

When the County Health Department comes to your gate, as they did TODAY, warning you that a case of Dengue Fever has been reported within a few yards of your home -- suddenly it is pretty f'g real!  We have been doing things we can to help -- but the issue of STANDING WATER is nearly unmanageable in a place where it rains a minimum of 1/2 inch every day or night....and this is a JUNGLE so there is "standing water" everywhere!

The information handed to Phil at the gate this morning tells you what you can do, but there is a limit to dealing with standing water which is around the base of all plants -- and in every crevice in every hunk of lava! We are in the middle of many outdoor projects but are finding indoor projects instead, using bug spray on ourselves.  The dogs HATE being sprayed, and although they are not affected by a bite, they can become carriers.  All we can do is wait it out.  (Hmmm...it just started to rain again.)

PS:  It is of note that even the Pope is travelling 
with mosquito repellent these days (trip to Africa)