HONOLULU, Hawaii — Multiple state agencies in Hawai’i are on high alert after laboratory testing found a presumed case of avian influenza in a sick duck at the end of last week.
Initial testing of the duck found an unconfirmed result of the H5 subtype of influenza A virus, the Hawai’i Department of Health said in a release. Final confirmation and further characterization are pending an analysis by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.
The bird was found by a student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, who then reported it to the Hawai’i Wildlife Center. From there, the DOH State Laboratories Division conducted the tests that yielded the preliminary results.
HPAI was first confirmed in Hawai’i in a backyard flock of birds in Central O’ahu in November 2024, the department mentioned. The Hawai’i DOH, Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity and Department of Land and Natural Resources are monitoring health reports, poultry farms and wild bird populations for any signs the virus has spread.
This possible case is a reminder for farmers to stay vigilant as migratory bird season hits the island. The department advises the public to:
- Avoid sick or dead birds
- Report multiple or unusual illnesses in poultry, livestock, or other wild birds and animals
- Use proper personal protective equipment if you do have to handle a sick or dead bird.
On Oct. 15, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported that for the previous 30 days there have been 28 commercial flocks and 19 backyard flocks affected by HPAI. Commercial flocks include 16 in Minnesota and 3 in South Dakota. These combined confirmations totaled 6.41 million affected birds.
For more information on bird flu, visit APHIS at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza.
