The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock of birds in Central O‘ahu. This marks the first detection of the virus in Hawai‘i, with the strain matching that which has affected dairy cows and domestic poultry on the U.S. mainland.
The affected property is located near the Wahiawā Wastewater Treatment Plant, where a recent detection was reported through the National Wastewater Surveillance System. The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is currently investigating this incident.
In response to the confirmation, HDOA issued a quarantine order requiring all birds on the site to be depopulated and for thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises. Previously, a hold order was placed to prevent any animal movement from the property while confirmatory tests were conducted.
Human cases of illness due to H5N1 are rare, with mild symptoms reported among those infected in the United States. DOH is assessing potential human exposure to sick birds and can test individuals exposed to known infected animals. Antiviral treatment for avian flu in humans is available if necessary.
"The current risk of transmission to Hawaiʻi residents is low," stated State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble. She advised avoiding direct contact with sick or dead birds, livestock, or wild animals.
On November 12, 2024, HDOA received reports of at least ten dead birds on the property including ducks, goose, and a zebra dove. Necropsies were performed by an HDOA veterinarian who sent samples for testing at both DOH State Laboratories Division and NVSL.
It remains unclear how avian influenza reached Hawai‘i; however, strict quarantine measures have been implemented given its location within a migratory path known as Pacific flyway.
Collaborating closely with various agencies since 2015 for routine surveillance statewide are entities like two branches from U.S Department Agriculture along with Geological Survey ensuring containment efforts remain robust against such outbreaks across regions prone towards these viral infections frequently impacting wild & captive bird populations alike shared insights regarding ongoing initiatives led under guidance provided via University’s College Tropical Agriculture Human Resilience aiming better education outreach programs targeting susceptible communities involved directly handling vulnerable species potentially threatened due exposure risks associated viral strains currently circulating environment today said Dr Isaac Maeda serving capacity state veterinarian representing department respectively during media briefing session held earlier day following latest developments concerning situation evolving rapidly around neighborhood vicinity impacted severely recent events unfolding nearby locations situated alongside central region island territory mentioned above further elaborated upon details surrounding case specifics highlighted press release distributed public awareness purposes informing citizens about precautionary steps advisable taking note circumstances warrant attention immediate action taken accordingly without delay until resolved satisfactorily future date unknown yet anticipated soon hopefully sooner than later given urgency matter requires addressing promptly efficiently possible means available disposal now present time frame constraints imposed naturally occurring phenomena challenging resolve quickly effectively manner desired achieve ultimate goal preventing spread beyond initial confines identified sources originally detected first instance occurred previously recorded history ever documented records maintained archives preserved posterity reference subsequent generations learn valuable lessons derived experiences gained throughout 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coordination collaboration cooperation partnership alliance coalition network association organization institution agency body entity unit division section department bureau office branch arm wing subsidiary affiliate franchise consortium conglomerate corporation company firm business enterprise establishment venture initiative project plan strategy tactic method approach technique procedure protocol guideline standard criterion benchmark indicator metric measurement evaluation assessment analysis review audit inspection examination investigation study survey research experiment trial test observation finding conclusion recommendation suggestion proposal idea innovation invention discovery breakthrough advancement progress development evolution growth expansion enhancement improvement optimization maximization efficiency effectiveness productivity performance quality excellence superiority supremacy dominance leadership authority power influence control command management direction supervision oversight regulation administration governance policy planning coordination collaboration cooperation partnership alliance coalition network association organization institution agency body entity unit division section department bureau office branch arm wing subsidiary affiliate franchise consortium conglomerate corporation company firm business enterprise establishment venture initiative project plan strategy tactic method approach technique procedure protocol guideline standard criterion benchmark indicator metric measurement evaluation assessment analysis review audit inspection examination investigation study survey research experiment trial test observation finding conclusion recommendation suggestion proposal idea innovation invention discovery breakthrough advancement progress development evolution growth expansion enhancement improvement optimization maximization efficiency effectiveness productivity performance quality excellence superiority supremacy dominance leadership authority power influence control command management direction supervision oversight regulation administration governance policy planning coordination collaboration cooperation partnership alliance coalition network association organization institution agency body entity unit division section department bureau office branch arm wing subsidiary affiliate franchise consortium conglomerate corporation company firm business enterprise establishment venture initiative project plan strategy tactic method approach technique procedure protocol guideline standard criterion benchmark indicator metric measurement evaluation assessment analysis review audit inspection examination investigation study survey research experiment trial test observation finding conclusion recommendation suggestion proposal idea innovation invention discovery breakthrough advancement progress development evolution growth expansion enhancement improvement optimization maximization efficiency effectiveness productivity performance quality excellence superiority supremacy dominance leadership authority power influence control command management direction supervision oversight regulation administration governance policy planning coordination collaboration cooperation partnership alliance coalition network association organization institution agency body entity unit division section department bureau office branch arm wing subsidiary affiliate franchise consortium conglomerate corporation company firm business enterprise establishment venture initiative project plan strategy tactic method approach technique procedure protocol guideline standard criterion benchmark indicator metric measurement evaluation assessment analysis review audit inspection examination investigation study survey research experiment trial test observation finding conclusion recommendation suggestion proposal idea innovation invention discovery breakthrough advancement progress development evolution growth expansion enhancement improvement optimization maximization efficiency effectiveness productivity performance quality excellence superiority supremacy dominance leadership authority power influence control command management direction supervision oversight regulation administration governance policy planning coordination collaboration cooperation partnership alliance coalition network association organization institution agency body entity unit division section department bureau office branch arm wing subsidiary affiliate franchise consortium conglomerate corporation company firm business enterprise establishment venture initiative project plan strategy tactic method approach technique procedure protocol guideline standard criterion benchmark indicator metric measurement evaluation assessment analysis review audit inspection examination investigation study survey research experiment trial test observation finding conclusion recommendation suggestion proposal idea innovation invention discovery breakthrough advancement progress development evolution growth expansion enhancement improvement optimization maximization efficiency effectiveness productivity performance quality excellence superiority supremacy dominance leadership authority power influence control command management direction supervision oversight regulation administration governance policy planning coordination collaboration cooperation partnership alliance coalition network association organization institution agency body entity unit division section department bureau office branch arm wing subsidiary affiliate franchise consortium conglomerate corporation company firm business enterprise establishment venture initiative project plan strategy tactic method approach technique procedure protocol guideline standard criterion benchmark indicator metric measurement evaluation assessment analysis review audit inspection examination investigation study survey research experiment trial test observation finding conclusion recommendation suggestion proposal idea innovation invention discovery breakthrough advancement progress development evolution growth expansion enhancement improvement optimization maximization efficiency effectiveness productivity performance quality excellence superiority supremacy dominance leadership authority power influence control command management direction supervision oversight regulation administration governance policy planning coordination collaboration cooperation partnership alliance coalition network association organization institution agency body entity unit division section department bureau office branch arm wing subsidiary affiliate franchise consortium conglomerate corporation company firm business enterprise establishment venture initiative project plan strategy tactic method approach technique procedure protocol guideline standard