The state Department of Agriculture is advising poultry and bird owners to be on the lookout for signs of avian influenza following the discovery of H5 avian influenza in a wastewater sample from Oahu.

What You Need To Know

  • There are no reports of avian influenza cases in humans or animals in Hawaii and the overall risk to Oahu and state residents remains low, according to DOH
  • The virus was detected for the first time at a wastewater sampling site in Oahu. The sample was collected on Nov. 7
  • HDOA’s Animal Disease Control Branch, two branches of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Geological Survey have been conducting routine surveillance for the virus since 2015, when highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected along the Pacific flyway, which is a migratory bird path that includes Hawaii
  • HDOA cautions bird and poultry owners not to touch sick or dead birds without appropriate personal protective equipment. Residents are encouraged to report sick or dead birds, especially in cases of multiple or unusual illness or death

The state Department of Health is investigating the source of the detection. There are no reports of avian influenza cases in humans or animals in Hawaii and the overall risk to Oahu and state residents remains low, according to DOH.

The virus was detected for the first time at a wastewater sampling site in Oahu. The sample was collected on Nov. 7, and the department received the result on Tuesday.

HDOA’s Animal Disease Control Branch, two branches of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Geological Survey have been conducting routine surveillance for the virus since 2015, when highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected along the Pacific flyway, which is a migratory bird path that includes Hawaii. 

HDOA maintains strict bird import laws that require permits, inspections, health certificates, identification requirements and, in some cases, isolation periods prior to importation into Hawaii. Because of widespread outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza on the mainland, HDOA has 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. 

Some of the symptoms of avian influenza in poultry and 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 or other indications of difficulty in breathing; nasal discharge, coughing or sneezing; twisting of the head and neck (torticollis); stumbling or falling down; and diarrhea.

HDOA cautions bird and poultry owners not to touch sick or dead birds without appropriate personal protective equipment. Residents are encouraged to report sick or dead birds, especially in cases of multiple or unusual illness or death. Poultry and bird owners in Hawaii who notice high mortality in their poultry or birds should contact their veterinarians and HDOA’s Division of Animal Industry at 808-483-7102 or 808-837-8092 (after hours).

Information for poultry and bird owners on how to increase biosecurity for their flocks may be found at: hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/ldc/adconcerns/aiinfo/biosec

For further information on avian influenza and measures taken to contain its spread, visit:

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.