#18,424
Just 5 days ago Hawaii - the only U.S. state never to have reported HPAI H5 in wild birds and/or poultry - announced the Detection of H5 Influenza In Wastewater from a plant on Oahu.
While its source was a mystery, two days later (Nov 15th) Hawaii's Dept of Agriculture Reported their 1st Detection of HPAI H5 in a backyard flock of mixed birds on the island.
Their investigation into this outbreak has led the discovery that some of the birds on the affected premises had been displayed a public event earlier in the month. Reportedly, these birds weren't sick at the time, but developed symptoms several days later.
While the risks of transmission are thought to be low, and the incubation period has already past, it is possible that some individuals who attended this event might have been mildly infected.
Accordingly, yesterday the DOH issued the following statement urging anyone who has (or had) symptoms to contact them. I'll return with a bit more after the break.
Posted on Nov 17, 2024 in NewsroomHONOLULU — Investigation by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) and Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) of confirmed H5N1 avian influenza in a backyard flock of various birds in Central Oʻahu has identified a potential exposure to members of the public who attended the Mililani Pet Fair held on Nov. 2, 2024.
While certain birds from the infected flock were present at the fair, the first signs of infection in the flock did not occur until several days after the fair. As the birds were not showing signs of infection at the time of the fair, the likelihood of spreading H5N1 to humans is low. However, out of an abundance of caution, DOH recommends that individuals who attended the fair and touched a duck or goose monitor for influenza-like illness (ILI) and conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) symptoms.
Individuals who attended the fair and have not developed symptoms can be reassured. Symptoms of avian influenza in humans usually develop within two to five days of exposure but can take up to 10 days to develop in some cases. Symptoms that are associated with bird flu infection in humans are typical mild and may include the following:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Conjunctivitis (“pink eye”)
Avian influenza in humans can be treated with antiviral medications.
The DOH advises anyone who attended the fair, touched a duck or goose at the fair, and is currently experiencing ongoing symptoms to isolate at home. Please contact your primary care provider for evaluation and testing, as well as the DOH Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586 for further guidance (calls answered 24/7). Please also call the DOH Disease Reporting Line if you’ve experienced symptoms that have since been resolved. Health care providers can submit specimen samples to Hawaiʻi’s State Laboratory Division (SLD) for bird flu testing.
If other animals had contact with a duck or goose at the fair and are exhibiting signs of illness, owners should contact their veterinarians. The likelihood of transmission is low; however, HDOA veterinarians have advised local private veterinarians of the situation and asked them to report any possible cases of infection.
To report multiple or unusual illnesses in poultry, livestock, or other wild birds or animals, contact HDOA’s Animal Industry Division at 808-483-7102, Monday to Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 808-837-8092 during non-business hours and holidays.
For more information about avian influenza, visit the DOH website: https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease_listing/avian-influenza/.
There is a lot we still don't know, including how the virus got to the islands to begin with. Presumably via migratory birds funneling down the West Pacific Flyway, but no one knows for sure.
The question then becomes, were these hobby birds infected prior to their display, or were they exposed at this event to (potentially asymptomatic) infected birds? If so, tracking down those birds would be a priority.
Since some species of birds (ducks, geese, etc.) can carry the HPAI H5 virus asymptomatically, it may not be immediately obvious which ones are infected.
We're it not for the red flag raised by wastewater testing, it is entirely possible that this outbreak might have gone undiscovered. Hawaii, after all, thought itself free of the virus, and their level of suspicion - even following a few bird deaths - would have been low.
Stay tuned, as this continues to be a rapidly evolving story.
