‘It’s spreading’: Avian flu detected on neighbor island for first time
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state Department of Health announced Tuesday it has detected the H5 avian influenza at a wastewater treatment plant in Hilo, the first detection of bird flu on a neighbor island.
DOH officials said the wastewater sample that had the virus was collected on Dec. 2 at the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Wastewater testing cannot determine if it is H5N1, also called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which was recently found on Oahu.
Hawaii County officials are now on alert, working with the state department of health to double the testing at Hilo’s wastewater treatment facility to twice a week.
“I’s a sense of uneasiness,” said Hawaii County Managing Director Bill Brilhante.
“The waste water facility is located near a lot of wet land areas and we do have a lot of Nene birds and birds that just generally hang out in the area.”
The highly pathogenic H5N1 virus was first confirmed on Oahu in a backyard flock of dead birds last month. The state later confirmed it in a wild duck on Oahu’s North Shore.
The detection of avian flu on another island has some bird experts on edge.
“I’m sure it’s on all the islands already. It’s not detected and its not reported,” said Cam Datanagan, who spent around 30 years helping bread pigeons for ceremonial releases.
“I just don’t want this to happen and its happening.”
Hawaii was the last of the 50 states to detect HPAI.
Health leaders say the risk to the public remains low. But farmers and residents with backyard flocks are advised to take extra precautions to keep their birds safe.
“Right now we are asking for public monitoring. If you are in an area and notice there are several dead birds in the area, we want the public to contact the department of health,” said Datanagan.
Some of the symptoms of avian influenza in poultry and birds include:
- Sudden death without any prior symptoms of illness
- Lack of energy and appetite
- A drop in egg production or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs
- Swelling of the eyelids, comb, wattles and shanks
- Purple discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs
- Gasping for air (difficulty breathing)
- Nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing
- Twisting of the head and neck (torticollis)
- Stumbling or falling down
- Diarrhea
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