On Nov. 15, 2024, The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) received confirmation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected in a backyard flock of various birds in Central O‘ahu.

The property involved is within the area served by the Wahiawā Wastewater Treatment Plant, where a recent detection was reported through the National Wastewater Surveillance System and was under investigation by the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH).

This was the first confirmed detection of the virus in Hawai‘i. The virus detected here matches the strain that has infected domestic poultry on the U.S. mainland. HDOA received a report of at least 10 dead birds on the property on November 12, 2024. The dead birds tested included ducks, goose and a zebra dove.