Precaution Urged Following Duck with Possible Avian Influenza at UH Manoa

State officials are advising caution after a suspected case of avian influenza was discovered in a sick duck at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

A student found the duck earlier this week, and the Hawaii Department of Health confirmed that it tested positive for the H5 subtype of the influenza A virus.

Final confirmation from the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Iowa is expected within the next week or so.

Currently, officials maintain that the risk of transmission to humans is low.

“Human infections are uncommon and usually associated with direct contact with infected animals,” health officials noted in a statement.

Avian influenza, particularly the H5N1 strain, has been reported globally and is known to spread rapidly among wild birds and poultry. Outbreaks in the continental U.S. have impacted hundreds of dairy herds across 18 states, including California.

Fortunately, Hawaii has experienced a limited spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, with no human cases reported so far.

The first outbreak in Hawaii was confirmed last November at Susie’s Duck Sanctuary in Wahiawa, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 birds, including ducks and geese.

Additionally, over 70 waterfowl, some adopted by a family at Pearl Harbor, either died or were euthanized in connection with that outbreak.

In November, avian influenza was also detected in a wild duck at the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge in Kahuku. This duck did not show any signs of infection at the time of testing.

Since that incident, there haven’t been any new reports of avian influenza in Hawaii.

The Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources are actively monitoring reports from poultry farms and wild bird populations for any indications of virus spread.

The student who reported the duck did so to the Hawaii Wildlife Center, a nonprofit focused on rehabilitating wild birds, including seabirds affected by artificial lighting during migration.

As the migratory season runs from mid-September to mid-December, officials emphasized the need for vigilance since wild birds can bring diseases to the islands.

Officials also urge anyone who encounters sick or dead birds to:

• Avoid touching or handling wild birds, particularly waterfowl or shorebirds. If you find a wild bird, please follow the recommended guidelines.
• Report any unusual illnesses in poultry or livestock to the Department of Agriculture’s Animal Industry Division at 808-483-7100 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or 808-837-8092 during off-hours and holidays; you can also reach out via email.