The Hawai’i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is once again urging both commercial poultry operations and backyard bird owners to bolster their biosecurity measures to protect their flocks from avian influenza, following recent reports of potential H5 influenza activity in the state.
Earlier this week, the Hawai’i Department of Health (DOH) reported low-level detections of H5 influenza in wastewater samples on Kaua’i. While these findings are not conclusive and do not confirm the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain, it may signal that HPAI is circulating in the environment. A previous detection of H5 avian influenza was reported at a wastewater facility in Hilo, raising concerns for both poultry and animal health.
Avian influenza is a contagious viral disease that can have severe consequences for both wild and domestic bird populations. HDOA veterinarians previously responded to a HPAI outbreak at a bird sanctuary in Wahiawā, O’ahu, in November 2024, where about 100 infected birds were euthanized. Additionally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service detected HPAI in a single duck at a North Shore wildlife refuge. Since these incidents, surveillance by state and federal agencies has continued, with no further detections at these locations.
While Hawai’i was the last state to report HPAI, the virus is likely being introduced through migratory birds following the Pacific flyway. The strain detected so far has been identified as the Eurasian HPAI, which is typically associated with wild waterfowl.
Dr. Isaac Maeda, state veterinarian at HDOA, emphasized the importance of maintaining biosecurity to prevent further spread. “While the wastewater detections are not specific enough to confirm if it is the highly pathogenic avian influenza strain, extra precautions are advised to keep commercial and backyard flocks from comingling with wild birds,” Maeda said. “Commercial poultry operations are usually well informed about biosecurity measures, but backyard flocks are a concern in stopping the spread of avian influenza.”
In response, HDOA is recommending poultry owners take increased biosecurity precautions. These include:
- Avoiding contact with wild birds and discouraging the feeding of wild birds to prevent the congregation of flocks.
- Enhancing biosecurity by keeping poultry indoors or in enclosed areas where they do not come into contact with wild birds.
- Wearing protective clothing to minimize exposure to any potential virus.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently considers the human health risk from HPAI to be low, but those with close or prolonged exposure to birds are advised to follow protective measures outlined by the CDC.
While wild birds, especially waterfowl like ducks and geese, can carry avian influenza without showing signs of illness, poultry such as chickens and turkeys are highly susceptible to the disease, which can be fatal. Backyard poultry, ducks, and other birds are at risk if they share food, water, or environments with infected wild birds.
Infected birds may exhibit symptoms such as:
- Sudden death without prior signs of illness
- Lack of energy or appetite
- Swelling of the eyes, comb, wattles, and shanks
- Difficulty breathing or gasping for air
- Diarrhea and soft or misshapen eggs
HDOA is urging residents to report any unusual illness or deaths in their flocks to the Animal Industry Division at 808-483-7100 or via email at hdoa.ldc@hawaii.gov.
For more information on how to protect flocks and report sick birds, visit HDOA’s avian influenza resource page: HDOA Avian Influenza Information.
For additional guidelines on preventing avian influenza, poultry owners can visit resources from the USDA and CDC, including detailed biosecurity practices and what to do if dead birds are found.
