Beardsley Zoo Responds to Avian Flu Detection

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is implementing stringent measures following the detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a deceased goose. In response, the zoo has euthanized potentially exposed birds and quarantined others, while closing affected exhibits and enhancing protective protocols for staff and visitors. Despite these precautions, the risk of avian flu transmission to humans and other animals remains low, though vigilance is maintained. This case is part of a broader pattern observed in the US, where the H5N1 strain has led to significant poultry losses in states like Nebraska, Ohio, and Arizona, totaling millions of birds since early 2022. Similarly, the UK has extended its Avian Influenza Prevention Zone to cover all of England following a rare human case and numerous avian cases. These actions underscore the continued global vigilance and biosecurity measures necessary to mitigate avian flu outbreaks.