In an abundance of caution, The El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens is taking steps to prevent a potentially deadly avian flu from infecting our bird species.

A highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has reached Texas and the Zoo is taking measures to protect our animals. The Asia Forest Atrium in the Asia part of the Zoo will be temporarily closed to protect birds such as the Rhinoceros Hornbill, Bali Mynah, Nicobar Pigeon, and several others.

The first confirmed case in Texas was found in a commercial pheasant flock (poultry) in Erath County. Following an increase in bird deaths, samples from the flock were tested at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.

Currently, there are no confirmed cases of the bird flu at The El Paso Zoo. The Zoo will continue to work with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state agencies to monitor the outbreak. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the U.S.

Photos
Cover – Ian Preston
Top – Silk Knoll, Wikimedia Creative Commons
Middle – Tony Hisgett,, Wikimedia Creative Commons
Bottom – Bernard DUPONT, , Wikimedia Creative Commons