Survey found bird flu a concern, but Hawaii flock owners unaware of prevention

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A new state health department survey says more education on bird flu is needed, especially among people considered most at risk.

Cam Datanagan raises pigeons. When released, they know exactly where to fly home.

He also flies around town providing education about proper care and the dangers of the bird flu virus.

“Some people say it’s not serious, but it is serious because for me, it’s our pets,” said Datanagan, who’s also a director with the National Pigeon Association.

“A lot of people are not taking it serious. It’s sad, but it’s the reality,” he added.

The virus was first detected in a backyard flock in Central Oahu.

Health officials surveyed backyard flock owners and bird rescuers, considering them the most at risk of being exposed. They found:

• 84% were aware bird flu was detected in Hawaii.
• 72% were very or somewhat concerned.
• 65% of backyard flock owners were not familiar with prevention.
• 2/3 were unaware of safe disposal.

Lt. Ashley Tseng, PhD, MPH, of U.S. Public Health Service, said, “The survey helps us at Department of Health better understand the potential exposures the backyard flock owners and bird rescuers face when it comes to bird flu so that we can prevent future bird flu infections.”

Tseng is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention epidemic intelligence service officer assigned to the Hawaii State Department of Health Disease Outbreak Control Division.

So far, no people in Hawaii have gotten the illness.

“There were 59 people exposed to the bird flu in our November 2024 detection. However there have been cases of bird flu on Oahu, and we actually found the H5 virus detected in wastewater on Oahu, Big Island, and Kauai in very low levels,” said Tseng.

Experts say don’t feed wild birds and check your own animals for signs of illness.

“Be proactive versus reactive,” said Datanagan. “I just don’t to be behind on the eight ball.”