Sedgwick County Zoo, (SCZ), officials have been closely following reports from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) moving across the United States.
HPAI is a zoonotic disease that is carried by birds, mainly migratory waterfowl. While this particular strain is not believed to pose a high risk to human health, many Zoo animals are susceptible to the disease. This includes all birds, some mammals, and possibly some reptiles.
On Wednesday, SCZ learned of a positive case of HPAI in central Kansas. The close proximity of the disease has triggered the Sedgwick County Zoo to implement its HPAI action plan in order to protect the health of animals and humans, as well as its business operations.
To protect its bird residents, the Zoo’s bird exhibits will be closed to the public until further notice. Many birds have been moved to indoor habitats, while others have received habitat modifications to prevent contact with wild birds. Animal care staff will use personal protective equipment while caring for the birds at SCZ.
Additionally, the Zoo has halted the sale of fish food available to guests in an effort to encourage wild waterfowl to forage elsewhere. Penguin Encounters will be on hold as well until the threat has passed.
Avian influenza – commonly called “bird flu” – is a viral infection that occurs naturally in birds. Wild birds can carry the virus but may not always get sick from it. Some domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys can become infected, often fatally.
Although it is possible for humans to become infected with avian influenza, the CDC states that the virus does not spread easily from animals to humans.