Five Animals Die at AZ Zoo After Bird Flu Exposure

Summary:

Maricopa County, AZ – Officials in Arizona this week said nearly a half-dozen animals including a cheetah and a mountain lion at a Phoenix-area zoo died and others are sick after being exposed to the bird flu. Maricopa County Department of Public Health officials reported the Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium in Litchfield Park, about 20 miles west of Phoenix, transported the ill animals to the Arizona Department of Agriculture to conduct testing that indicated they were likely exposed to avian influenza, a viral disease that mainly impacts birds.

Two big cats and three large birds − a cheetah, a mountain lion, a swamphen, a kookaburra and an Indian goose − died after contracting the virus, Jolene Westerling of the Wildlife World Zoo told USA TODAY Friday. A white tiger also tested positive, but it appeared to be responding to treatment and is expected to make a full recovery, Westerling confirmed. The county health department, according to a press release updated Thursday, said it was working with the zoo to identify and contact staff and volunteers who are considered to be at higher risk.

In addition to the animals, Westerling confirmed 25 employees were exposed to the infected animals and were are being monitored for symptoms. As of Friday, no employees had tested positive, the zoo spokesperson said.

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