CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WWBT) – The Metro Richmond Zoo has reported two positive cases of H5 bird flu.
“A deceased crane tested positive for bird flu at VDACS laboratory on January 16,” the zoo said Monday. “A second crane presumptively tested positive for bird flu. This is the first positive test of bird flu in the zoo’s 30-year history.”
The zoo says the birds did not live in any of its aviaries, where the public shares a common space with birds.
“The zoo is saddened by the loss of the cranes and our thoughts are with the zookeepers who cared for them,” the zoo said. “Our animal care team remains committed to providing the best care for our animals. We are taking precautions to keep our animals, staff, and guests safe and healthy.”
The zoo remains open to the public and says “the current risk of bird flu remains low.”
The budgie exhibit and walk-through bird aviary are closed “out of an abundance of caution.”
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Virginia Department of Health are helping the zoo respond to the cases and monitor test results.
“The bird flu is widespread in native, wild birds worldwide and can spread to domestic birds and other animals in human care,” the zoo said. “The current public health risk in the United States is low for H5 bird flu. Currently, there are no reports of H5 bird flu infections in people in Virginia.”
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