Oahu | Hawaii VMA

Avian influenza virus detected in Oahu wastewater

On Wednesday 11/13/2024, the Department of Health announced they had detected H5 virus from a wastewater processing plant on Oahu. This testing is a part of routine testing of wastewater facilities across the US by the CDC. Due to the type of testing performed, the presence of the avian influenza virus was detected, but no sequencing has yet been conducted to confirm whether this is the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza also known as HPAI, H5N1.

During the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza within the United States over the past 2 years, Hawaii has been the only state in the US without a confirmed case of H5N1 in humans or animals. H5N1 can spread rapidly between birds, and has been found more rarely in mammals such as humans, cows, and pigs. There is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission of H5N1 in the United States.

There are no reports of human or animal H5N1 cases in Hawaii and the overall risk of H5N1 to humans and animals within the state remains low.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) already maintains strict bird import laws that require permits, inspections, health certificates, identification requirements and in some cases, isolation periods prior to importation into Hawaii. Due to recent widespread outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza on the mainland, HDOA has further restricted the importation of birds from areas experiencing outbreaks and has required pre-entry avian influenza test protocols. In addition, HDOA has placed an embargo on importing birds through the mail.

While the Department of Health continues to investigate the source of the H5 virus detected, veterinarians and the public should continue to be vigilant for illness or mass die-offs in poultry or waterfowl flocks.

Symptoms of avian influenza in poultry and other birds include:

Sudden death without any prior symptoms of illness
Lack of energy and appetite
A drop in egg production or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs
Swelling of the eyelids, comb, wattles and shanks
Purple discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs
Gasping for air (difficulty breathing)
Nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing
Twisting of the head and neck (torticollis)
Stumbling or falling down
Diarrhea

Specialized BHI swabs for AI PCR testing of poulty and waterfowl are available from HDOA. In poultry, collect oropharyngeal swabs; in waterfowl, collect cloacal swabs. Swabs can be pooled and stored in the BHI media refrigerated for up to 1 week prior to submission to the Halawa Veterinary Laboratory. Please see these instructions and contact Dr. Raquel Wong at the HDOA Animal Industry Division (808-483-7100) to obtain the appropriate media and swabs.

Talking points for the public:

The risk of H5N1 to humans and animals in Hawaii is currently low.
Do not touch sick or dead birds without appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, facemasks, protective gowns and footwear.
Poultry or other bird owners should increase biosecurity for their flocks.
Multiple sick or dead birds should be reported to the HDOA Animal Industry Division.

More information can be found in these resources:
Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA)
Hawaii Department of Health (DOH)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Pet Expo 2024

HVMA’s Pet Expo 2024 will be held on May 4-5, 2024 from 10am-4pm each day at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Join us for a wide range of informative booths and pet merchandise, keiki crafts, contests, and more! Please bring a few canned goods for donation to the Hawaii Food Bank in lieu of an admission fee.

To register as a vendor for the event, please call 808-845-1762 or send an email.

Updates on Pet Transport Off Maui

Updated Aug 17, 2023 – All information posted here is subject to change

USDA APHIS has provided the following information for transporting pets off Maui.

Maui Humane Society
Maui Humane Society is providing free health certificates and free air kennels for residents that need them to leave the island.

OGG to HNL only
Kamaka Airlines – possible discount on flights

OGG to Continental USA
– Alaska Airlines – OGG to Seattle and LAX. Assisting with Maui shelters relocating pets. They recommended shelter groups send them a request. They are considering discount requests to pet relocation groups.
– Hawaiian Airlines – OGG to SEA and LAX (non-stop flights, no kennel limitations); OGG to SFO and SAN (non-stop with max 28” height kennels)

HNL to LAX
– Pacific Air Cargo – book through IPATA Pet Transport Company
– Aloha Air Cargo – book through IPATA Pet Transport Company; accepts giant breeds, also flies to Seattle
– American Airlines Cargo (PetEmbark) – PetEmbark@aa.com; 1-800-227-4622, (only between HNL and continental US)

Local IPATA Pet Transporters
Island Pet Movers
– www.islandpetmovers.com/contact (please fill out inquiry)
– exotic pets, cats and dogs, fish on case-by-case basis
– discount Aug 15-25, OGG to HNL to LAX, $65 to HNL, $225 to LAX (100-500 size kennel); no breed restrictions to LAX
– other mainland locations $375 – $575, airport and breed restrictions apply
– utilizing Kamaka Air and Pacific Air Cargo
– crates and health certificate exams discounted 30%

Tails of Hawaii
– 808-676-9663 option 3
– tailmovers@tailsofhawaii.com
– Exotic & pocket pets, potbelly pigs, cats and dogs, birds, NO fish
– may offer discount for moves on case-by-case basis, submit request to
tailmovers@tailsofhawaii.com
– offering discount on health certificate issuance in HNL for those impacted by Maui wildfires

REMINDERS FOR VETS
Category I Accredited Veterinarians authorized through our National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) are NOT able to issue health certificates for pet birds or pet pot-bellied pigs. Those animals would need to be examined by a Category II Accredited Veterinarian. If AV’s have more questions as to which Category they are authorized, to please refer to the following website and feel free to reach out to the local NVAP Coordinator: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/nvap/ct_category1-2

For pets going to the mainland US, please issue a rabies vaccine certificate.

Further VEHCS information and guidance:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/vehcs-info

Canine Influenza Detected in Hawaii

We wanted to alert our membership that canine influenza (H3N2) was detected on Oahu in four dogs from three families at two separate clinics. All affected dogs had been recently boarded at a single facility. Canine influenza virus can cause respiratory disease in dogs that can resemble kennel cough. Less commonly, more severe illness can be observed, especially in dogs that have an underlying health condition.

At this time, there does not seem to be any known spread to other dogs in the local community. Transmission of H3N2 canine influenza virus from dogs to cats has been reported in other outbreaks. To date, there is no evidence that transmission to humans can occur.

Veterinary clinics should take precautions to avoid transmission of the virus between dogs. The AVMA recommends that dogs with clinical signs suggestive of respiratory disease be separated from other dogs. This includes the waiting area, facility entrance/exit, examination/treatment area, and hospitalization ward. Personnel should wear personal protective equipment and disinfect the facility and potential fomites with an appropriate disinfectant. Many commonly used disinfectants are effective against influenza viruses. The EPA maintains a list of products that are registered for use against influenza viruses.

The best test to diagnose acute clinical infections is the PCR test on deep nasal (preferred) or pharyngeal swabs. Viral shedding peaks early in the infection, so the test is of highest value within the first 1-2 days of the onset of clinical signs. Avoid using cotton-tipped wood shaft swabs for sample collection because those materials may inhibit the PCR reaction. Please check with the laboratory ahead of time for their preferred storage tubes; in general, avoid using tubes with additives or gel media.

If you know of any confirmed cases, please contact Hawaii Department of Agriculture at hdoa.vls@hawaii.gov. HVMA leadership is monitoring the situation and can be reached at: public_relations@hawaiivetmed.org. There is also a private Facebook page for HVMA members (veterinarians only) and a specific chat thread to discuss this topic. The Center for Food Security and Public Health has an excellent review of canine influenza. The AVMA and the CDC also have good information available on their websites.