A recent outbreak of bird flu at a zoo in Arizona has led to the closure of certain animal exhibits, according to health authorities. The Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park confirmed that several animals had contracted avian influenza, with testing results coming back positive from the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is working with the zoo to contact staff and volunteers who may have come into direct contact with infected animals. As a precautionary measure, visitors are being barred from interacting directly with all animals for the time being.
This latest outbreak is part of a string of bird flu cases in Arizona over the past month, including human infections reported at a commercial farm and a backyard flock. The risk to the general public remains low due to the lack of evidence for human-to-human transmission of the virus.
According to health experts, most human infections occur after exposure to sick or dead infected animals, or their environment, typically through the eyes, nose, or mouth. Bird flu symptoms in humans can range from mild respiratory issues to life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia and organ failure.
Source: https://ktar.com/story/5636676/arizona-bird-flu-valley-animals