Tweet
BY SPECTRUM NEWS STAFF HAWAII
PUBLISHED 3:08 PM ET NOV. 28, 2024
Avian influenza (bird flu) viruses occur naturally in wild birds and have the potential to affect common HI backyard birds like mynah, bulbuls and zebra doves.
These viruses are highly contagious among birds, having the potential to cause severe illness among poultry, other animal species and even among humans exposed to the virus.
Here is a handy FAQ guide on Avian flu the DOH has issued for reference:
-snip-
Why is this a public health concern in Hawaiʻi?
Influenza viruses undergo genetic reassortment, or change, as they spread between different animal species and humans. There is a risk that the H5N1 or other avian influenza viruses might change to spread more easily among humans, potentially leading to a pandemic. Therefore, it’s extremely important to adopt avian influenza prevention practices, monitor for animal and human infections and detect the development of any person-to-person spread as early as possible.
-snip-
continued: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/haw...u-faq-from-doh