Hawaii has reported its first confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) received confirmation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) that HPAI was present in a backyard flock of various birds in the Hawaiian island of O‘ahu.
According to a press release from the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH), the affected flock was on property within an area served by the Wahiawā Wastewater Treatment Plant, where a recent HPAI detection was reported through the National Wastewater Surveillance System and is under investigation.
HDOA further stated that the virus detected in O‘ahu matches the strain that has infected domestic poultry and dairy cattle in the mainland United States.
With the confirmation of avian influenza, HDOA issued a quarantine order on the site which requires that all birds on the property be depopulated and the premises cleaned and disinfected. While confirmatory tests were being conducted, HDOA had placed a hold order, which prevents movement of any animals from the property.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) stated that it was working closely with animal health officials in Hawaii on a joint incident response, and will provide appropriate support as requested.
Because the situation did not involve commercial poultry, this detection should not have an impact on poultry trade, per rules set forth by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.
To learn more about HPAI cases in commercial poultry flocks in the United States, Mexico and Canada, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.
