HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Zoo’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Program at the Cargill WildCare Center recently confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) through symptomatic wild birds received at the facility. Due to the close proximity of the disease, the Zoo has implemented the highest level of protection in its HPAI Action Plan to safeguard the health of the zoo’s animals and humans. The Zoo’s collection remains healthy.
Avian influenza —also called “bird flu” — is a viral infection that occurs naturally in birds. Wild birds, mainly migratory waterfowl like ducks and geese, can carry the virus but may not get sick.
Some domestic birds such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys can become infected, often fatally.
This particular strain is not believed to pose a high risk to human health, but many zoo animals, including all birds, some mammals and possibly some reptiles, are susceptible to the disease.
To protect the Zoo’s birds, Hutchinson Zoo’s aviary and other bird habitats will be closed to the public until further notice. Many birds have been moved indoors, while others have received habitat modifications to prevent contact with wild birds.
Animal care staff are using personal protective equipment to mitigate exposure risks while caring for the zoo’s collection.
Hutchinson Zoo’s Rehabilitation Program at the Cargill WildCare Center has been carefully mitigating HPAI since this spring’s migration.
Waterfowl and any birds showing symptoms of avian flu have been carefully evaluated and quarantined separate from the rest of the rehabilitation animals. The staff has been utilizing biosecurity measures, including footbaths or shoe coverings, masks, and gloves, as well as complete PPE coverage when in contact with sick individuals.
Recently Zoo staff has been in close contact with the Kansas Dept. Wildlife and Parks Wildlife Disease Coordinator since symptomatic cases of Avian flu have been identified in wild intakes. An individual animal was euthanized due to symptomatic conditions and testing was submitted to the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (KSVDL). Test results determined a positive infection, with more information confirming the type of strain of HPAI from the National Veterinary Services Lab (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, forthcoming.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that Avian flu does not spread easily from animals to humans.
The Zoo’s professional wildlife rehabilitation program at the Cargill Wild Care Center treats approximately 700 animals annually.
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