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Wildlife World Zoo: 5 animals dead from bird flu
LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. - The Maricopa County Department of Public Health on Wednesday said deadly bird flu cases were found at the Wildlife World Zoo. According to officials, the virus likely led to the deaths of five of the facility's animals.
"The Wildlife World Zoo identified ill animals and brought them into the Arizona Department of Agriculture to conduct testing. Test results indicated that these animals were likely ill from H5N1 avian flu, which was first seen in wild birds in the United States in 2015," the county health department said on Dec. 11.
The animals who died include a cheetah, a mountain lion, a swamphen, an Andean goose, and a Kookaburra. A white tiger, meanwhile, tested positive, and is responding well to treatment.
"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," zoo president Kristy Hayden said.
County health officials say the risk to members of the public and zoo visitors remains low overall, but they are working with the zoo to identify and contact staff and volunteers who are deemed to be at a higher risk of infection due to "close, prolonged contact with the infected animals."
The zoo has put a temporary hold on guest activities with direct animal contact.
Cases of bird flu have previously been found in poultry within the state. Two human cases were also reported.
‘The public visiting the zoo is not at risk'
Wildlife World Zoo, located near Northern and Sarival avenues, was already on high alert for bird flu.
"The second we had any animals showing signs, our vets were working with state vets," Hayden said.
This did not start at the zoo, but from wild birds. It’s migration season that spreads bird flu through bird droppings.
"It happened very fast. From the first confirmed case within a couple of days, it had come through. It had taken the lives of five of our animals. It can be transmitted from animal to animal pretty rapidly. It's a virus that comes in fast. Fortunately, it usually leaves pretty quick," Hayden explained.
As for humans, the park is doing everything to contain the spread.
"That looks like masks, gloves, eye protection, boots, bleach baths, and in some cases, our veterinarians are fully suited up," she said.
Dr. Nick Staab of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health says the spread between animals is quick, but with humans it’s rare.
"The public visiting the zoo is not at risk," Dr. Staab said. "It requires that close contact."
Other animals with close contact are still in quarantine. There have not been any positive tests from animals in the last seven days.
What is avian influenza?
According to the Mayo Clinic, avian influenza, which is also called ‘bird flu,’ is caused by influenza type A virus infections in bird species.
Per the website, birds could die from avian influenza in very serious cases.
"Bird flu rarely infects humans, but health officials worry because influenza A viruses that infect birds can change, called mutate, to infect humans and spread from person to person more often," read a portion of the website. "Because a new strain of bird flu would be a new virus to humans, a mutated strain like that could spread quickly around the world."
Here's what to know about bird flu
As authorities report more cases of avian influenza in Arizona, here's what to know about the illness, and why some are worried about it.