Confirmed avian flu case at Woodland Park Zoo means immediate safety precautions are in effect to protect our birds
Posted by Woodland Park Zoo Communications Staff
A red-breasted goose at Woodland Park Zoo has died and is the first suspected case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at the zoo. The goose passed away earlier this week and the zoo received preliminary positive HPAI test results today, 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. For the wellbeing of our animals, staff and guests, additional and increased measures will be implemented immediately.
Background
HPAI, or highly pathogenic avian influenza, 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. Risk to humans is low, but direct exposure to infected birds can increase this risk, so protective personal equipment (PPE) is recommended.
A recent uptick in suspected or documented HPAI infections in both domestic and wild birds has recently been reported in western Washington state, and even locally. In response to this increase, Woodland Park Zoo proactively implemented several precautions to protect the animals and their caregivers at the zoo, including: draining of 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.
What Now?
Woodland Park Zoo received an initial positive PCR test for HPAI today, Nov. 14, 2024, from a red-breasted goose found deceased earlier this week. Pending confirmatory testing, this would be the first case of HPAI at the zoo.
In response to this new discovery, the zoo is implementing increased and additional health and safety precautions to protect our birds, staff and guests, until the viral threat subsides.
Effective immediately, the following measures will be enacted at the zoo:
The zoo’s Animal Health team will continue to evaluate the health of our animals and staff and will adjust all safety precautions as needed.
The impacted goose, and the other red-breasted geese that shared space with that animal, lived in an off-exhibit, behind-the-scenes pool area and guests have not been exposed to or in contact with these animals. For the safety of the remaining geese, their caretakers, and for all other animals who reside near them, the geese will be moved to a quarantine area for up to 120 days so that staff with proper PPE can monitor the flock and decrease potential impacts on humans and animals.
Red-breasted geese are a rare, threatened species and it is the hope of Woodland Park Zoo to protect and support a healthy population.
In addition to quarantining the geese, all planned moves of birds to or from our zoo will be cancelled for the time being.
Woodland Park Zoo is thankful to be navigating this process with consultation from the state veterinarian with Washington State Department of Agriculture, the regional veterinarian with U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Washington State and King County Departments of Public Health.
Thank you to the dedicated Woodland Park Zoo staff, who are greatly impacted by these precautions and who always work with the best interest of animals in mind. And thank you to our guests for their patience, as visits may be disrupted by these changes.
We will not be providing daily updates on individual birds but will provide an update if significant changes occur. As this situation evolves, we will continue to make the best decisions to ensure all of our animals, staff, and guests remain safe and healthy.
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| Woodland Park Zoo is home to a flock of red-breasted geese as well as many other species of birds. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo |
A red-breasted goose at Woodland Park Zoo has died and is the first suspected case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at the zoo. The goose passed away earlier this week and the zoo received preliminary positive HPAI test results today, 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. For the wellbeing of our animals, staff and guests, additional and increased measures will be implemented immediately.
Background
HPAI, or highly pathogenic avian influenza, 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. Risk to humans is low, but direct exposure to infected birds can increase this risk, so protective personal equipment (PPE) is recommended.
A recent uptick in suspected or documented HPAI infections in both domestic and wild birds has recently been reported in western Washington state, and even locally. In response to this increase, Woodland Park Zoo proactively implemented several precautions to protect the animals and their caregivers at the zoo, including: draining of 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.
What Now?
Woodland Park Zoo received an initial positive PCR test for HPAI today, Nov. 14, 2024, from a red-breasted goose found deceased earlier this week. Pending confirmatory testing, this would be the first case of HPAI at the zoo.
In response to this new discovery, the zoo is implementing increased and additional health and safety precautions to protect our birds, staff and guests, until the viral threat subsides.
Effective immediately, the following measures will be enacted at the zoo:
- Access to birds will be strictly limited to their care providers, including designated animal keepers and veterinary staff. All volunteer activity, private tours and special experiences are cancelled.
- 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 cancelled. 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.
The zoo’s Animal Health team will continue to evaluate the health of our animals and staff and will adjust all safety precautions as needed.
The impacted goose, and the other red-breasted geese that shared space with that animal, lived in an off-exhibit, behind-the-scenes pool area and guests have not been exposed to or in contact with these animals. For the safety of the remaining geese, their caretakers, and for all other animals who reside near them, the geese will be moved to a quarantine area for up to 120 days so that staff with proper PPE can monitor the flock and decrease potential impacts on humans and animals.
Red-breasted geese are a rare, threatened species and it is the hope of Woodland Park Zoo to protect and support a healthy population.
In addition to quarantining the geese, all planned moves of birds to or from our zoo will be cancelled for the time being.
Woodland Park Zoo is thankful to be navigating this process with consultation from the state veterinarian with Washington State Department of Agriculture, the regional veterinarian with U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Washington State and King County Departments of Public Health.
Thank you to the dedicated Woodland Park Zoo staff, who are greatly impacted by these precautions and who always work with the best interest of animals in mind. And thank you to our guests for their patience, as visits may be disrupted by these changes.
We will not be providing daily updates on individual birds but will provide an update if significant changes occur. As this situation evolves, we will continue to make the best decisions to ensure all of our animals, staff, and guests remain safe and healthy.
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