LĪHUʻE, Hawaiʻi (KHON2) — Avian flu is slowly making its way around the islands, with the most recent discovery linked to wastewater samples on Kauaʻi.
The first detection was from a sample collected from the Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant on Dec. 11. Similar detections also showed up in samples from Dec. 18 and Jan. 8.
Department of Health officials said each detection was “so low that it was not considered a positive result,” adding that “the consistent very low-level detections indicate a high likelihood that H5 bird flue virus is on Kauaʻi.”
No infected birds, dairy cows or humans have been detected on Kauaʻi.
The state saw its first detection of the H5N1 bird flu virus in November 2024 after a backyard flock of birds in Central Oʻahu tested positive for the strain.
Even though the public risk is low, avian influenza can be fatal among certain bird populations.
Today, the virus has killed millions of egg-laying hens leaving egg farms with limited supply and driving up the high demand amongst those in the food industry.
The shortage has also caused egg prices to surge nationwide, especially in Hawaiʻi.
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DOH officials urge residents to stay vigilant when removing a dead wild bird from their property. Unusual illnesses in poultry, livestock or other birds should be reported to the HDOA Animal Industry Division at 808-483-7100.