H5N1 Confirmed in Maui Wild Duck, State Urges Vigilance

On November 15, 2025 state officials confirmed that a wild northern pintail found along the Wailea shoreline on Maui tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1. The detection was verified by both state and federal laboratories, and comes after earlier detections in the islands including a previous positive in a duck at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Authorities described the finding as part of ongoing surveillance of wild birds across the state.

Health and wildlife agencies continued to stress that H5N1 primarily affects birds and that human infections have been rare. State agencies said the immediate risk to people and to poultry in Hawaiʻi remains low, but they warned that continued monitoring and strict biosecurity practices are needed to prevent spread. The Department of Health, the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources will coordinate surveillance and outreach across the islands as the response unfolds.

For Kauai County the discovery underscores the need for vigilance in both coastal and agricultural communities. Backyard flock owners, small scale poultry operators, and workers in the poultry supply chain are advised to review biosecurity practices to limit contact between wild birds and domestic birds. Shoreline users and bird watchers should avoid touching or handling sick or dead wild birds and report unusual wildlife deaths to state agencies. Officials recommend following posted guidance on safe handling and disposal of bird carcasses and reporting multiple or unusual illnesses in poultry or wildlife to the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture.

Beyond immediate steps to reduce transmission, the detection raises broader public health and equity concerns for rural and Native Hawaiian communities. Many households rely on small scale agriculture for food security and income, and language barriers, limited transportation, and variable access to veterinary services can make compliance with containment guidance more difficult. Community targeted outreach, culturally appropriate education materials, and support for small producers to maintain biosecurity will be important to reduce burdens on vulnerable residents if further cases emerge.

State surveillance will continue, with testing and coordination between state laboratories and federal partners. Residents can expect updated guidance from the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources as investigators track patterns in wild birds and domestic flocks. For now authorities emphasize prevention, prompt reporting, and local readiness to protect both public health and the livelihoods of Kauai County residents.