La'ie Chickens

Letter from Dr. Paul V. Effler, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Disease Outbreak Control Division

On private property in Hawaii, the property owner can borrow traps from the Humane Societies on each island to catch feral chickens and return them to the Humane Societies to be euthanized. Volunteers with the Hawaii Gamebird Breeders Association may also be able to assist property owners with catching and removal of feral chickens from private property. In Hawaii state parks, the Department of Land and Natural Resources in some instances may cull populations of feral chickens that are in picnic areas or areas in contact with the public. City and state parks are also considering enforcing existing regulations or putting in place new regulations to stop the feeding of feral chickens and other birds by the public in parks and public areas. Discontinuing the feeding of feral chickens will help decrease populations and disperse birds so they are not in contact with the public. National parks and wildlife refuges have invasive species control programs. Feral chickens near areas where they may contact migratory waterfowl would be culled. The United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services is a Federal cooperative program that responds to requests to control wildlife. Wildlife Services personnel assist agencies and the public with wildlife problems including threats to human health and safety. This agency may be contracted to work with other agencies to decrease populations of feral chickens in public areas.

The majority of human cases of HPAI H5N1 worldwide have been transmitted by close contact with infected poultry, their feces or secretions. Direct contact of the public with feral chickens is generally limited and the risk of contracting avian influenza from feral chickens is low. Avoiding contact with sick or dead chickens is recommended and would further minimize the risk to the public. Reducing populations near public parks and residences is a possibility under discussion and may reduce the risk to the public.

Thank you for your concerns regarding our State’s preparedness. If you have any other questions, you may email them to fluinfo@doh.hawaii.gov

More information at the Federal and DOH websites for additional information on pandemic flu:

www.pandemicflu.gov

www.hawaii.gov/health