SEATTLE — The Woodland Park Zoo has confirmed the first suspected case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) following the death of a red-breasted goose earlier this week.
Preliminary test results from Thursday indicated the presence of the virus.
The goose, part of a rare and threatened species, was found deceased in an off-exhibit area, according to the zoo. The zoo had already enacted several precautionary measures earlier this year due to rising HPAI cases in the region, including draining open-air bird pools and moving free-roaming peacocks indoors.
In response to the confirmed case, the zoo said it is intensifying its biosecurity measures including canceling all bird-related guest experiences, including volunteer activities, private tours and penguin feeding. The walk-through aviaries will remain closed to the public. The Tropical Rainforest exhibit will stay open.
The impacted red-breasted goose and its flockmates will be moved to a quarantine area for up to 120 days, where they will be monitored closely by staff using personal protective equipment (PPE). All planned transfers of birds in or out of the zoo have also been suspended.
The zoo said it is working closely with health authorities, including the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to ensure the health and safety of both animals and visitors.
