The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) has warned attendees of the Mililani Pet Fair on November 2 about a confirmed case of H5N1 avian influenza in a backyard flock in Central Oahu. The birds that interacted with the public at the event were part of the infected flock, but health officials have stressed the low risk of human transmission as the birds showed no visible symptoms at the time, as Island News reported.
KHON2 reported that the DOH recommends people who touched ducks or geese at the Mililani Pet Fair monitor for symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, and conjunctivitis. These symptoms typically appear within two to five days after exposure, though they can take up to ten days. If symptoms develop, antiviral medications are available for treatment.
As a precaution, the DOH advises anyone with ongoing symptoms after touching the birds to stay isolated and reach out to their primary care provider; they should also contact the DOH Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586 for further instructions. It's a 24/7 line designed to handle such concerns regarding exposures and symptoms following such events.
Pet owners are also urged to monitor their animals for signs of illness if they came into contact with the exposed birds at the fair. While the virus is unlikely to spread to pets, the DOH and HDOA are closely monitoring the situation. Any unusual symptoms reported by veterinarians will be carefully tracked, and pet owners should seek veterinary care if concerned about their animals' health.
For additional resources or to report symptoms, the public can visit the DOH website or reach out to the HDOA’s Animal Industry Division at 808-483-7102 during business hours or 808-837-8092 after hours and on holidays.
