On Friday 11/15/2024, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture announced they had confirmed multiple bird deaths due to H5N1 from a backyard flock in Central Oahu near the Wahiawa wastewater treatment plant. HDOA pathologists performed necropsies on the dead birds, and confirmatory tests for H5N1 were performed at NVSL and Hawaii Department of Health. Affected birds from this site included ducks, a goose, and a zebra dove.
HDOA has issued a quarantine order on this site, which requires all birds on the property to be depopulated and the premises cleaned and disinfected.
Human illness from H5N1 is uncommon, and people in Hawaii are still unlikely to get sick from avian influenza at this time.
Veterinarians and the public should continue to be vigilant for illness or mass die-offs in poultry or waterfowl flocks, and report any multiple or unusual illnesses or deaths to HDOA Animal Industry Division at 808-483-7102 or 808-837-8092.
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.
Read the full HDOA Press Release from 11/15/2024 here.
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)
Updated 11/23/2024: Check out HDOA’s HPAI Guidance for Veterinary Clinics