Health officials continue investigating source of avian flu detected on Oahu

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The state Department of Health on Thursday revealed more details on the detection of the H5 avian influenza on Oahu.
Officials say the specimen was collected on Nov. 7 from the Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant as part of routine testing and DOH received the result Tuesday.
“So the next step really is to see if we have persistent detection of H5N1 in the wastewater from this treatment plant or from any others in the state,” state Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble.
“Our state lab is also able to perform additional testing if needed to try to better localize where it’s coming from.”
H5N1, also called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), is one type of H5 avian influenza.
“Whether this detection is H5N1 is unable to be determined from wastewater testing,” Kemble said.
“The wastewater testing provides a signal for further investigation to determine whether this detection is H5N1 related.”
A nationwide outbreak of H5N1 has been spreading among birds and mammals, but officials say there’s no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission of H5N1 in the United States.
Hawaii health officials reassure the overall risk of H5N1 statewide is low but still remains a cause for concern.
“This can have a big impact on agricultural animals,” Kemble said. “For instance, if cows are infected, they can get mastitis and their milk cannot be used for human consumption. If a poultry farm is infected, the entire flock has to be culled, so that can have a big impact on agricultural operations.”
Kemble said the greatest risk would be to farm workers, or those who have direct exposure with animals.
“For people, we worry about lots of people being exposed because of the possibility of the virus mutating,” Kemble said.
“The virus we’ve seen so far in the U.S. has not caused severe disease in people. It’s primarily caused conjunctivitis, meaning redness and itching of the eyes and then some mild upper respiratory symptoms. But if the virus were to mutate and more easily infect people, or cause more severe disease in people, that would be a concern.”
DOH says they will partner with federal agriculture and wildlife agencies for further investigation, prevention, and public health surveillance efforts.
Meantime, Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture said its Animal Disease Control Branch has been working with federal agriculture officials and the U.S. Geological Survey on “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 Hawai‘i.”
HDOA added: “For decades, HDOA has maintained strict bird import laws that require permits, inspections, health certificates, identification requirements and in some cases, isolation periods prior to importation into Hawai‘i. Due to 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.”
Hawaii farmers hope their own strict biosecurity measures can help protect their animals, because the disease would be devastating.
“It’s just so hard to farm to begin with. So anything that, if you have to cull your herds, or any negative impact to your operations, it’s just going to make it that much harder,” said Brian Miyamoto, executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau.
“Avian influenza threatens to significantly impact poultry and egg production on Oahu, a prime example of why we must protect Hawai’i’s biosecurity. Our food system needs this protection, and our farmers deserve it. It is critical that farmers are aware of the situation and can protect their farms from avian influenza following recommendations from the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture,“ said state Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa, House Vice Chair of Agriculture and Food Systems.
With the H5 detection, DOH provided best-practice guidance for interacting with animals and consuming animal products:
Symptoms of avian influenza may include fever, cough, sore throat and conjunctivitis. Antiviral flu treatment is recommended as soon as possible.
Contact the Department of Health at 808-586-4586 immediately if you believe you have contracted H5N1 or been in close contact with sick or dead animals.
Information for poultry and bird owners on how to increase biosecurity for their flocks may be found here.
Resources on avian influenza:
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