Number of dengue fever cases on Hawaii's Big Island grows
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Stan Oka, urban forestry administrator for the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation, tips a potted ti plant to demonstrate how people should remove standing water from around their homes in Honolulu on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015. The number of people in Hawaii infected by dengue fever continued to rise, and officials asked the public to help limit the spread of the virus. (AP Photo/Cathy Bussewitz)
The dengue fever outbreak on Hawaii's Big Island continues to grow.
The state Department of Health said Monday that the number of confirmed cases reached 139 people. That includes 122 Hawaii Island residents and 17 visitors.
A Department of Health map shows the area with the highest risk of potential infection is Captain Cook, just south of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}There's a moderate risk of infection in Kailua-Kona and on the island's windward coast in Hilo, Mountain View and Pahoa. There's also moderate risk in Naalehu near the southern tip of the Big Island.
Officials say it's safe to travel to Hawaii Island. They say people can reduce their risk of infection by wearing mosquito repellent and covering up with long clothing.