LITCHFIELD PARK, AZ — Some animals on the Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park have reportedly caught the hen flu.
On Wednesday, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health introduced it’s working with state and federal organizations in responding to a detection of avian influenza in a small variety of animals on the zoo.
Officials say the Wildlife World Zoo recognized unwell animals and introduced them to the Arizona Department of Agriculture to endure testing. Test outcomes indicated the animals had been seemingly unwell from H5N1 avian flu.
MCDPH is working with the zoo to establish and phone workers and volunteers who’re thought of to be at larger danger from shut or extended contact with the contaminated animals.
“People who’ve job-related exposures to contaminated animals, particularly shut extended publicity, are at larger danger of an infection,” mentioned Dr. Nick Staab, assistant medical director at MCDPH. “Public well being’s suggestions are supposed to cut back the danger to those that have had direct contact with contaminated animals and to stop additional publicity,” added Dr. Staab.
Wildlife World Zoo has quickly placed on maintain visitor actions with direct animal contact. Officials report the zoo is implementing different elevated well being and security precautions to guard animals, workers and company, till animal well being improves.
“While we’re deeply saddened to report the loss of some cherished animals, we’re grateful that the affect was restricted because of our swift response, sturdy biosecurity protocols, and the invaluable help of Maricopa County Department of Public Health and state and federal companies,” mentioned Kristy Hayden, president of Wildlife World Zoo. “Our group labored diligently to comprise the state of affairs, and we stay dedicated to the well being and security of our animals, workers, and guests.”
Arizona has reported a number of circumstances of the hen flu just lately, in Maricopa County and Pinal County, which additionally noticed the first human case of bird flu within the state.
Also on Wednesday, the Coconino County Health and Human Services confirmed that H5 avian influenza has been detected in wastewater sampling. Coconino County stories the supply of the virus is suspected to be from chickens and wild birds. There are not any stories of human or animal H5 circumstances in Coconino County.
MCDPH recommends the next primary steps to stop the unfold of the flu and different respiratory viruses:
- Practice good hand hygiene, which incorporates hand washing and utilizing hand sanitizer when cleaning soap and water are usually not obtainable.
- Get your seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines [links-2.govdelivery.com].
- Seasonal flu vaccination is not going to stop an infection with hen flu viruses however can scale back the danger of getting sick with human influenza viruses and thus the danger for seasonal and hen flu co-infection.
- Seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines are protected and efficient at decreasing severity of signs, they usually additionally scale back the chance of getting contaminated with flu or COVID-19.
- Talk together with your healthcare supplier about different vaccines which are really useful for sure teams, such because the RSV vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine.
- Stay house and away from others if you’re sick.
- If signs worsen or you might be at larger danger of extreme sickness, contact your medical supplier. Consider carrying a masks in case you search healthcare on your signs.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the present public well being danger is low, regardless of current outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows.
Sick Bird Hotline: If you see indicators of sickness in your poultry, report them instantly to USDA at 1-866-536-7593. You may also contact your native cooperative extension workplace, native veterinarian, or your State Veterinarian. For wild hen sickness, please contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
