Chicken farmers, owners ‘scared to death’ over Hawaii’s first avian flu detection

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Backyard chicken farmers, pet owners and other groups are taking extra precautions to keep their birds safe after the state confirmed the first detection of avian flu in Hawaii. The disease was found in a backyard flock of birds in Central Oahu.

Avian flu spreads quickly by bird to bird contact. State health officials say people are unlikely to get sick from this strain, but people should still avoid contact with sick birds.

Aloha Animal Sanctuary in Windward Oahu rescues farm animals that have been abused or neglected.

“Goober” lost both eyes because of cock fighting injuries. He and his fellow feathered friends are flu free, but now the sanctuary’s executive director is worried about the threat.

On Friday, the state health department confirmed Hawaii’s first discovery of avian flu in Central Oahu detected in a backyard flock of birds. Health officials say the virus detected here matches the strain that has infected domestic poultry and dairy cows on the U.S. continent.

“We were devastated. My heart dropped and to be honest, I couldn’t process it. It didn’t seem real and just immediate panic set in,” said Rocio Tapia, Aloha Animal Sanctuary, executive director.

A Waialua egg farmer has similar fears. Workers are starting to spray vehicle tires while banning visitors.

“I’m scared to death,” said Michael Sencer, co-owner Waialua Egg Farm.

He has more than 300,000 birds and roughly 70 employees.

“I’d hate to see it hit us and we lose everything,” he added.

On Tuesday, Department of Agriculture got a report of at least 10 dead birds, a zebra dove, ducks, and goose at a Central Oahu property in an area served by the Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant. Agriculture officials issued a quarantine order which requires all birds on property to be destroyed and the site cleaned and disinfected.

Tapia said to keep her animals safe, they are reinforcing enclosures to keep wild birds out. All tours and volunteer days have been indefinitely suspended and Saturday’s Friendsgiving event honoring their turkey “Coco” was canceled.

“This morning, we have implemented measures, disinfecting shoes, before you come in, washing your hands, changing gloves. We’re not allowing guests,” said Tapia.

“All that’s going to have to be canceled right now to just focus on safety and taking care of our our babies, our residents,” she added.

Rylee Brooke Kamahele has a backyard chicken coop in Mililani including a silkie chicken named Einstein.

“It’s scary for us,” she said.

“We get food from our chickens, they lay eggs for us and they also are pets for us,” Kamahele added.

Her egg laying pets are healthy and she is looking at protective measures.

“It’s super concerning. My family has been talking about different ways that we can keep our birds safe, some kind of netting,” said Kamahele.

Signs of avian flu are swelling, twisting of the head and neck and paralysis.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says keep germs away, keep wild birds and rodents out of chicken coops, secure feed bins, limit visitors and have a plan.

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