Hawaii Confirms First Cases of Avian Flu

Hawaii has confirmed its first cases of avian flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, following positive tests in ducks and geese on a backyard farm in Oahu. The outbreak, confirmed by the USDA, has prompted the euthanization of over 70 birds to prevent further spread. This detection is part of a larger trend of avian flu affecting over 100 million poultry nationwide, raising concerns about the potential for human infection, particularly as a teenager in Canada has been hospitalized due to a mutated strain. Local health authorities maintain that the public health risk remains low, urging residents to avoid contact with sick or dead birds. The Hawaii Department of Health has also alerted the public about possible exposure at a recent pet fair where infected birds were present. Despite the alarming developments, experts emphasize that there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission.