The state Department of Agriculture warned Hawaii commercial and backyard poultry and bird owners Tuesday to be vigilant because of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 along the Pacific migratory bird path.
The state Department of Agriculture warned Hawaii commercial and backyard poultry and bird owners Tuesday to be vigilant because of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 along the Pacific migratory bird path.
Bird and poultry owners are encouraged to institute and maintain good biosecurity measures, including good sanitation practices and making sure their birds do not come in contact with other wild and migratory birds.
Since December 2014, there have been several confirmed outbreaks of HPAI H5 in California, Utah, Nevada and Idaho. In March, new infected premises also were detected in Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas.
The strain circulating is a mix of the highly pathogenic Asian and low pathogenic North American strains and has been found in wild birds, as well as in a few backyard and commercial poultry flocks. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk to people from the current strains of HPAI to be low.
Poultry and bird owners in Hawaii who notice high mortality in their poultry or birds should contact the HDOA, Division of Animal Industry at (808) 483-7106 to report their losses.