Valley zoo takes action after bird flu detected in several animals
Dec 11, 2024, 1:57 PM | Updated: Dec 12, 2024, 9:21 am
Unspecified animals at Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park were confirmed to have bird flu on Dec. 11, 2024. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — A number of animals at a Valley zoo collection were confirmed to have bird flu, Arizona health authorities announced Wednesday.
The unspecified animals at the Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park were determined to have avian influenza after testing at the Arizona Department of Agriculture, according to a press release from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH).
“While we are deeply saddened to report the loss of a few cherished animals, we are grateful that the impact was limited thanks to our swift response, robust biosecurity protocols and the invaluable support of Maricopa County Department of Public Health and state and federal agencies,” Kristy Hayden, president of Wildlife World Zoo, said in the release.
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“Our team worked diligently to contain the situation, and we remain committed to the health and safety of our animals, staff and visitors.”
According to ABC15, the five animals died as a result of the outbreak: a cheetah, a mountain lion, a swamphen, an Indian goose, and a kookaburra. A white tiger also tested positive but is expected to recover.
MCDPH is working with the zoo to contact staff and volunteers that could have been contaminated and in contact with the infected animals.
As a result, zoo guests cannot have direct contact with all animals for the time being.
“Public health’s recommendations are intended to reduce the risk to those who have had direct contact with infected animals and to prevent further exposure,” Nick Staab, assistant medical director at MCDPH, said in the release.
Arizona bird flu: Are there other outbreaks in the state?
The Wildlife World Zoo outbreak is the latest in a string of bird flu cases across Arizona over the past month.
First, poultry at a commercial farm in Pinal County tested positive for bird flu on Nov. 15.
Three weeks later, two of the facility’s workers tested positive for avian influenza, the first known human cases in Arizona since the virus was detected domestically in 2015.
On Nov. 21, bird flu was detected at a backyard flock in Maricopa County.
Is it easy to get bird flu?
There is no evidence to date of human-to-human transmission of bird flu. As a result, the risk to the general public remains low.
Most human infections occur after unprotected exposure to sick or dead infected animals, or their environment.
Typically, infections happen when the virus gets in a person’s eyes, nose or mouth.
Bird flu symptoms in humans can range from mild respiratory issues to pneumonia, organ failure or even death.
Anyone who suspects poultry to have bird flu should call the sick bird hotline at 866-536-7593.
