Guam now also bans live poultry, hatching eggs from Hawaii over avian flu | News

Guam has now also banned poultry from Hawaii due to recent reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, cases now detected in Hawaii.

The Guam Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division, at the same time, is asking island residents to report any unusual mortality in poultry or wild bird populations.

“A single dead bird is not of concern, but multiple — five or more birds at one time — should be reported to Animal Health at (671) 300-7966 or emailing the Territorial Veterinarian, Dr. Mariana Turner at [email protected],” the local agency said.

Guam Agriculture on Monday announced expanding its poultry ban to include all live poultry imports and hatching eggs from Hawaii, effective immediately.

“This ban applies to live poultry and hatching eggs only, as there is no threat from poultry commodities such as meat and eggs for consumption. The USDA has issued a reminder that the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills bacteria and viruses,” the Guam Department of Agriculture said.

On Nov. 15, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture made an announcement of the first detection of HPAI in a mixed species backyard poultry flock.

This was the first confirmed detection of HPAI in Hawaii, and the virus strain detected matches the strain that has affected poultry and dairy cattle in the mainland U.S.

Prevention is key

Guam Agriculture, in a statement, said it has maintained consistent consultation with both the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding potential impacts on Guam, should HPAI reach the island.

All are in agreement that prevention is the only suitable course of action for Guam as widespread island wide infection and poultry death are guaranteed, the local agriculture agency said.

Since January 2022, USDA APHIS has been responding to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Historically, avian influenza outbreaks last for a few months and naturally subside as the migratory birds, which are natural reservoirs for the virus, complete their migration pattern.

In an unprecedented series of events, the outbreak has persisted for several years, decimating poultry populations across the mainland U.S.

Even more alarming, this strain of the avian influenza virus has been able to cause sustained infection in U.S. dairy cattle, which is the first event of this kind globally. 

While avian influenza is considered a zoonotic disease that has the capacity to infect humans, the CDC has declared the current HPAI detections do not present an immediate human health concern for the general public.

Additional information on biosecurity for non-commercial backyard flocks can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.