A bird flu outbreak has killed 20 big cats, including a Bengal tiger, at an animal sanctuary in Washington state. The Wild Felid Advocacy Center reported that the animals died between late November and mid-December due to respiratory secretions and contact with infected birds.
The sanctuary is under quarantine and closed to the public to prevent further spread of the virus. Mark Mathews, director of the sanctuary, described the outbreak as “pretty wicked” and noted that it was unusual for big cats to die from bird flu, which typically affects older animals.
This latest outbreak comes as bird flu continues to affect cattle and poultry in the US, with at least 61 human cases reported since April. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say the risk to the general public remains low, but most human cases have reported mild symptoms.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyvx4d1n4vo