A highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain has arrived in Hawaii, posing a significant threat to poultry and wild birds, but experts say it’s not an immediate concern for humans. According to Professor Axel Lehrer of the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s John A. Burns School of Medicine, the virus has only been identified in animals and poultry, and its genetic lineage suggests it’s not directly linked to recent outbreaks on the mainland or in Canada.
The first detection of H5 avian influenza in Hawaii was confirmed by the National Wastewater Surveillance System in November 2022, but further testing couldn’t determine if it was the highly pathogenic strain. The virus was later confirmed in a backyard flock of birds in Wahiawa and subsequently culled. A second case was reported in a wild duck on the North Shore.
Experts say the virus currently has limited ability to spread to humans or mammals, with symptoms typically mild in those who become infected, such as workers directly handling poultry or other birds. Sustained human-to-human transmission has not been reported.
It’s believed the virus arrived in Hawaii via bird migration along the Pacific flyway. The state Department of Agriculture and health officials are working together to educate poultry operations, backyard flock owners, and other animals susceptible to the virus.
Residents who believe they may have been exposed to sick birds or wildlife can contact the Disease Outbreak Control Division for guidance. Multiple agencies, including the state and federal departments of agriculture and the US Geological Survey, have been conducting routine surveillance for avian influenza since 2015.
Source: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/news/2024/12/02/uh-expert–hpai-not-an-immediate-threat-here