Hawaii health officials learned from a recent survey that few respondents involved with caring for birds actually know what to do to prevent bird flu.
The Hawaii Department of Health in March conducted a survey to better gauge how aware residents were of the ongoing avian influenza outbreak worldwide, as well as their preparedness for it locally.
Officials invited residents with backyard flocks, such as pet chickens, to participate in an anonymous online survey.
To be eligible, Hawaii residents had to be at least 18 years old, reside in Hawaii at least six months of the year, and keep at least one poultry bird at home, be involved in bird rescues or have had direct contact with birds in the past year.
DOH received 420 survey responses from five islands, but counted 237 that met eligibility criteria.
According to survey results, DOH found:
• Most respondents (84%) were aware the H5N1 variant causes the bird flu, and that it had been detected in Hawaii.
• Most respondents (72%) were very or somewhat concerned about the bird flu.
• Two-thirds (65%) of backyard flock owners across Hawaii, however, were not at all familiar with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Defend the Flock recommended practices to prevent bird flu.
• Two-thirds of respondents reported not knowing how to properly and safely remove and dispose of dead birds.
• Of 117 respondents, only 17% knew to report a group of dead birds to the state Department of Agriculture &Biosecurity; 20% said they would contact DOH first.
• Most residents (76%) considered their doctor the top source of health information. Only 5% use online or print news articles as health information sources, and only 6% look at the DOH website.
The H5N1 bird flu virus — also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza — was first detected in Hawaii in November 2024 in a duck and goose sanctuary in Wahiawa.
Among birds that tested positive for H5N1 at Susie’s Duck Sanctuary in Wahiawa were ducks, geese and a zebra dove. More than 70 birds there either died or were euthanized due to the outbreak.
A small backyard flock at Pearl Harbor was also euthanized after two ducks there, adopted from the sanctuary, also tested positive.
The virus was also detected in November in a wild, hybrid duck that was tested as part of surveillance efforts, but had exhibited no symptoms, at the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge in Kahuku.
No further detections of H5N1 have since been confirmed in poultry on Oahu — and none have been confirmed in birds outside Oahu.
The H5N1 virus, meanwhile, continues to circulate worldwide, causing outbreaks in poultry. Last March, the bird flu virus also began to infect dairy cows in multiple U.S. states. It has also been detected in more than 200 mammals.
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention has since April 2024 confirmed 70 human cases in the U.S., mostly among poultry and dairy workers, who are at greater risk. The exposure source for three human cases remain unknown. One patient in Louisiana died.
CDC, however, says the risk to the general public in the U.S. remains low as there has been no known person-to-person spread of the virus at this time.
The department will use survey results to guide future public health communication strategies.
DOH continues to monitor wastewater samples for H5N1, and meets regularly with federal, state and local partners to stay up to date on disease detections and public health guidelines.
STAYING VIGILANT
>> Learn how to prevent bird flu from Defend the Flock at aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian.
>> To pick up a dead bird carcass, wear disposable gloves or turn a plastic bag inside out, then double-bag it and throw it out with the regular trash. Wash your hands, disinfect clothing and shoes, and monitor for symptoms.
>> Report multiple or unusual illnesses in poultry, livestock, wild birds or animals to Hawaii Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity’s Animal Industry Division at 808-483-7100 (weekdays) or 808-837-8092 (nonbusiness hours and holidays). Email dabic@hawaii.gov.
>> If you develop symptoms of avian influenza (red eyes, fever, cough, body aches) after exposure to sick birds, or recently visited/worked on a farm in another state with known/suspected H5N1 animal infections, contact DOH’s Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586 for guidance.
>> Questions about the bird flu survey? Contact the DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division Flu Surveillance Team at doh.flu.surveillance@doh. hawaii.gov.
Source: Hawaii Department of Health
Source: The Garden Island
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