State voluntary pause extended 90 days for interisland transport of poultry, other bird species

As a major bird flu outbreak continues on the mainland, causing the deaths of millions of birds — domesticated and wild alike — and a continued spike in the price of eggs — state officials made the decision to continue restricting the transportation of birds throughout the islands.

Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, in consultation with Hawai‘i Department of Health and Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, has extended the voluntary pause on the interisland transport of poultry and other bird species for at least another 90 days.

The pause is meant to be a precaution to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly referred to as avian influenza or bird flu.

The initial 90-day pause was issued Dec. 13, 2024, and expires today, March 13. It will now continue until at least June 13 with the extension.

Bird flu was first detected in early November 2024 in Hawai‘i at two locations on O‘ahu.

There have been no more detections of the virus in birds since then in Hawai‘i; however, it is unknown if it is circulating in the environment among wild bird populations.

While no other birds have become ill from the virus, it was reported by Hawaiʻi County and Hawai‘i Department of Health that avian influenza was detected in influent collected Dec. 2, 2024, at the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant.

State Health Department officials reported in January that bird flu also was detected at very low levels in wastewater samples collected December 2024 and another in January at the Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant on Kauaʻi.

In an abundance of caution, state Agriculture Department officials said extending the pause on interisland transport of birds is prudent at this time.

The state Health Department is also conducting a backyard bird flu survey to collect critical information about the understanding of bird flu as well as the practices and needs of those who keep poultry flocks or care for rescued birds.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is widespread worldwide in wild birds.

The virus — which also can infect dairy cows — has caused major outbreaks in poultry and dairy farms on the mainland.

Forbes reports there were 40 confirmed bird flu outbreaks in layer flocks as of March 7 throughout nine states: Arizona, California, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington, resulting in 30.3 million birds being killed this year alone.

Another official put that number even higher.

U.S. Department of Agriculture says in its March 7 Egg Market Overview that accounts for 12.3% of the nation’s conventional caged layer flock and 7.8% of the non-organic cage-free flock.

Avian flu has forced farmers to kill a total of nearly 170 million egg-laying since 2022 in the United States, which has also led to grocery and department store egg supplies running low or even empty and skyrocketing prices.

The Forbes article says egg prices nationwide rose an average of more than 10% from January to February as the bird flu outbreak continues to hurt the U.S. poultry supply. Some retailers also are now limiting the amount of eggs customers can buy.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show the average price in February for a dozen large eggs in the U.S. was $5.90. The cost for the same dozen of eggs during the same month in each of the prior 5 years would have been:

• $3 in February 2024, a difference of $2.90.
• $4.21 in February 2023, a difference of $1.69.
• $2 in February 2022, a difference of $3.90.
• $1.60 in February 2021, a difference of $4.30.
• $1.45 in February 2020, a difference of $4.45.

Hawaiʻi News Now reported earlier this week that farmers have had to kill entire flocks because of the bird flu.

Experts think the price of eggs will only continue to increase, with U.S. Agriculture Department officials forecasting in February an overall 41.1% spike in prices this year.

“Egg prices are setting new records in 2025,” wrote Bernt Nelson, an economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation in a new report out Tuesday, as reported by KITV
Island News. “Some 12 million birds, mostly layers, were lost in February, bringing the total number of birds affected so far in 2025 to over 35 million and driving egg prices even higher.”

The Consumer Price Index showed Wednesday that egg prices increased 10.4% in February. While that’s less than the 15.2% surge in January, prices increased a whopping 58.8% from February 2024.

The average price of a dozen large Hawai‘i-produced Grade A or Grade AA eggs was $8.87 the week of Dec. 9-13, 2024, in Honolulu, according to some of the most recent data available from the Market Analysis and News Branch of the state Agriculture Department. The same carton of eggs would have cost $8.64 a year before.

For a carton of 18 large Grade A or Grade AA Hawai‘i eggs, consumers in Honolulu were paying $11.42 during the same week compared with $11.25 in 2023.

A dozen mainland eggs of the same grade during the same week in December last year cost $8.35, compared with $7.94 in 2023, and a carton of 18 cost $10.95, the same price as a year prior, for Honolulu residents.

World Population Review, a free, online database that shares up-to-date information and statistics about the world’s population, shows the average price of a dozen eggs for all of Hawai‘i at $9.73, the highest in all 50 states.

NBC News reports that the ever increasing egg prices are forcing some grocery stores and other retailers, where egg prices have doubled since the start of the bird flu outbreak, to implement restrictions on purchases.

Walmart is allowing two 60-count cartons per purchase but not putting restrictions on smaller amounts of eggs; Sams’s Club customers are only allowed to purchase two cartons of their egg brand of choice.

Other grocers such as Kroger, Costco, Whole Foods and Aldi are taking a location-based approach when it comes to limiting purchases.

Consumers can’t even get a relief from high egg prices when they go out to eat.

Several restaurants, including Denny’s and Waffle House, added temporary surcharges to egg dishes to compensate for increasing prices.

The introduction of bird flu in Hawai‘i is likely linked to the migration of wild birds from the continental U.S.

It is spread through bird-to-bird contact or when infected birds contaminate materials, equipment, clothing or other surfaces. Residents are reminded not to feed wild birds, which causes them to congregate and possibly spread the virus.

State and federal agencies continue to conduct surveillance on managed flocks and wildlife.

The public is urged to report multiple or unusual illnesses in poultry, livestock or other wild birds or animals to the state Agriculture Department Animal Industry Division at 808-483-7100 during business hours or after hours and on holidays at 808-837-8092.

Sick pets should be reported to a private veterinarian.

Finding a single dead bird is not unusual and can be disposed of by using disposable gloves or the double plastic bag method.

Turn a plastic bag inside out and pick up the bird, then roll the bag up and tie, similar to how to dispose of dog waste. Place the tied bag containing the dead bird into a second bag, tie and place it in a regular trash receptacle.

Do not touch the bird directly and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after disposal.

Those with backyard flocks are strongly encouraged to increase biosecurity measures and protect their birds from contact with wild birds.

Information for backyard poultry owners can be found on the state Agribulture Department Animal Industry Division web page (https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/ldc/adconcerns/aiinfo/biosec/).

Poultry biosecurity training manuals and videos are available from the Centers for Food Security and Public Health.

Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture has for decades strictly regulated the import of all animals, including birds, to protect the islands from outbreaks of animal diseases from around the world.

These import requirements have been significant in keeping Hawai‘i free from bird-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and exotic Newcastle disease. Interisland transport of all live birds also requires inspection by the department’s Plant Quarantine Branch.

In general, importers must apply for a Poultry and Bird Import Permit from the Animal Industry Division to import poultry into into Hawai‘i.

The avian influenza status of areas from where shipments are originating are being investigated before the import permits are issued because of bird flu outbreaks.

Poultry shipments are subject to other requirements, such as originating from a disease-free flock, a 7-day isolation period in a mosquito-free enclosure under the supervision of an accredited veterinarian prior to arrival and a negative test for exotic Newcastle disease.

Bird species other than poultry are also required to obtain an import permit from the Plant Quarantine Branch, which restricts some types of birds from being imported to Hawai‘i all together.

There have been no confirmed human cases of bird flu in Hawai‘i and the risk to human health remains low. However, people who come into direct contact with sick birds could be at increased risk for bird flu exposure.

Anyone who has had direct contact with outdoor birds is encouraged to learn about the signs and symptoms of avian influenza and recommended prevention measures using the following resources:

• Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture.
• Hawai‘i Department of Health.
• Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

If you develop symptoms of avian influenza after being exposed to sick birds or other wildlife, contact the Hawai‘i Department of Health disease reporting line at 808-586-4586 for further guidance.

Hawai‘i’s state agencies remain committed to protecting public health, animal welfare and the state’s agricultural economy through proactive measures and continued collaboration.