Health officials have verified that more than half of the animals residing in the sanctuary have been diagnosed with avian influenza, as disclosed in a recent Facebook post. This viral infection is predominantly transmitted through the secretions and droppings of infected birds. Carnivorous mammals are susceptible to contracting the disease by either direct contact with infected birds or exposure to a contaminated environment.
The sanctuary has issued a cautionary statement highlighting the heightened vulnerability of cats to avian flu. The symptoms in felines can swiftly escalate, often culminating in fatality within a mere 24-hour period due to conditions akin to pneumonia. As a precautionary measure to safeguard the remaining inhabitants and curb further dissemination of the virus, the sanctuary has been placed under quarantine, necessitating its closure until the foreseeable future.
These distressing developments transpire amidst a backdrop of vigilance within zoological facilities nationwide. Recent reports have surfaced of avian flu-related fatalities within the zoo community, with five animals succumbing to the virus in the vicinity of Phoenix and another casualty recorded at a zoo located in Seattle.
