DOH notifies public of potential exposure to avian flu at Mililani pet fair

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An investigation by the Hawaii Department of Health and Hawaii Department of Agriculture confirmed a potential avian flu exposure to members of the public who attended the Mililani Pet Fair held on Nov. 2.
Officials say they confirmed H5N1 avian influenza in a backyard flock of various birds in Central Oahu connected to the pet fair earlier in the month.
Officials say while certain birds from the infected flock were present at the fair, the first signs of infection in the flock only occurred several days after the fair.
Officials say the birds were not showing signs of infection at the time of the fair, and the likelihood of spreading the avian flu to humans is low.
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DOH recommends that individuals who attended the fair and touched a duck or goose be monitored for influenza-like illness (ILI) and conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) symptoms.
Symptoms of avian influenza in humans usually develop within two to five days of exposure but can sometimes take up to 10 days to develop. Symptoms that are associated with bird flu infection in humans are typically mild and may include the following: Fever, Cough, Sore throat, and Conjunctivitis (“pink eye”).
Avian influenza in humans can be treated with antiviral medications.
The DOH advises anyone who attended the fair, touched a duck or goose at the fair, and is currently experiencing ongoing symptoms to isolate at home and to contact your primary care provider for evaluation and testing, as well as the DOH Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586 for further guidance (calls answered 24/7).
Please also call the DOH Disease Reporting Line if you’ve experienced symptoms that have since been resolved.
To report multiple or unusual illnesses in poultry, livestock, or other wild birds or animals, contact HDOA’s Animal Industry Division at 808-483-7102, Monday to Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 808-837-8092 during non-business hours and holidays.
For more information about avian influenza, visit the DOH here.
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