The Metro Richmond Zoo is partnering with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to respond to and monitor positive tests for H5 bird flu in deceased cranes. The zoo remains open, and the public’s current risk of bird flu remains low.
A deceased crane tested positive for bird flu at VDACS laboratory on January 16. 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 affected birds did not live in any of our aviaries where the public share 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. 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.
VDACS has been on-site at the zoo to evaluate the need for additional testing and monitor the health of our other animals. VDH is conducting a public health response to complement the VDACS animal health response. VDH is monitoring the health of zoo staff who had close contact with the infected birds.
The bird flu is widespread in native, wild birds worldwide and can spread to domestic birds and other animals in human care. 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.
Since the risk to the public is low, the zoo will continue to operate normally during the multi-agency investigation. Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily close the budgie exhibit and walk-through bird aviary.
For more information, contact Brookie Crawford, Risk Communications Manager for the Virginia Department of Health, at [email protected].
Resources about H5 Bird Flu