SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Extra precautions are being taken at the NEW Zoo in Suamico to protect its birds from a deadly virus.
Last week, officials confirmed the first case of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Wisconsin since 2015 in a Jefferson County flock.
The highly contagious and deadly form of avian influenza has affected flocks all over the country as wild birds spread the virus during spring migration.
Zoo director, Neil Anderson, says the zoo is in its aviation flu protocol which means different things for different bird exhibits.
“Each facility is unique in kind of what we do but we have a lot of endangered species and we want to make sure that we’re protecting our flock because we know this really high-path avian influenza can be extremely deadly to a number of different birds,” he said.
Anderson says walk-through exhibits like the North American Aviary, which houses the bald eagle and other waterfowl, will be closed so visitors cannot unintentionally track infected bird droppings from migratory geese and birds into the exhibit.
Other birds that have open top enclosures will be moved indoors and may be out of sight to the public for a while.
However completely enclosed exhibits, like the snowy owl, will still be open for public viewing as they are fully protected.
The last time the zoo went into avian flu protocol was in 2015 and it was for a period of five weeks.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HPAI does not present an immediate public health concern and no human cases of avian influenza have been found in the United States.
For those who have pet chickens or other birds living outside, it’s recommended to move them indoors when possible to prevent contact with wild birds and their droppings during the migratory season.
