by KOMO News StaffThu, November 14th 2024 at 6:40 PM
Updated Fri, November 15th 2024 at 9:48 AM
An image of a red-breasted goose at the Woodland Park Zoo, which is located in Seattle, Washington. (Courtesy: The Woodland Park Zoo)
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SEATTLE — A red-breasted goose at the Woodland Park Zoo has died from the first suspected case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly referred to as the bird flu, the zoo announced Thursday.
The WPZ said the goose passed away earlier this week, and the zoo received preliminary positive HPAI test results on Nov. 14.
“Health and safety precautions had already been enacted at the zoo in response to increased HPAI cases being reported across the state and region,” wrote the WPZ in a media release. “For the wellbeing of our animals, staff, and guests, additional and increased measures will be implemented immediately.”
About HPAI
The WPZ said HPAI is a viral infection that is carried by wild birds, especially mallards, and other waterfowl, and is spread primarily through respiratory secretions and bird-to-bird contact.
“In addition to posing a threat to birds, HPAI can also pose a lesser risk to mammals,” wrote the Woodland Park Zoo in a media release. “Risk to humans is low, but direct exposure to infected birds can increase this risk, so protective personal equipment (PPE) is recommended.”
The WPZ also noted that a recent uptick in suspected or documented HPAI infections in both domestic and wild birds has recently been reported in western Washington.
The WPZ said they’ve proactively implemented several precautions to protect the animals and their caregivers, including draining pools in open-topped bird exhibits to decrease the presence of wild waterfowl; moving free-roaming peacocks inside; and increasing staff protective measures including masks, gloves, and shoe/foot baths around bird species.
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The WPZ said it received an initial positive PCR test for HPAI on Thursday from the aforementioned red-breasted goose. Pending confirmatory testing, this would mark the first HPAI case at the WPZ.
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The zoo said the following health and safety measures will be enacted effective immediately:
- Access to birds will be strictly limited to their care providers, including designated animal keepers and veterinary staff. All volunteer activities, private tours, and special experiences are canceled.
- All open-air walk-through aviaries will be closed. This includes Savanna Aviary, Temperate Wetlands (marsh), and Conservation Aviary. The Tropical Rainforest will remain open at this time.
- Penguin feeding experiences are canceled. During the last HPAI threat in 2022, penguins were temporarily moved indoors, but as that indoor move was associated with an increase in medical problems, they will remain outdoors.
- Ambassador animal birds will not participate in public programming or guest experiences.
- For the safety of our staff, those who have critical care roles with birds will continue to wear increased PPE.
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