THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) – Some birds at The Bronx and Queens Zoo have died due to avian influenza, a spokesperson for the Wildlife Conservation Society confirmed Friday evening.
Officials said three ducks died at the Queens Zoo. Nine wild birds and three collections of ducks that may have been exposed to the virus have died at the Bronx Zoo.
“We have assessed and reviewed our protocols regarding risk to our birds from avian influenza,” said Mary Dixon, Senior Vice President of Communications. “We implemented steps at our four zoos and aquariums to limit exposure of our animals to wild birds, mainly species of waterfowl, known to be significant carriers of avian influenza.”
Dixon also noted that lab tests are pending on these animals, and over the last two weeks, the zoos have moved vulnerable bird species to protected park areas as a precaution.
The announcement follows state officials' ordering live poultry markets to close in the city for a week after birds infected with the virus were found during routine inspections in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens boroughs.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the virus poses low risk to the general public. The agency has confirmed 67 cases of bird flu in humans in the U.S., with illnesses mild and mostly detected among farmworkers who were exposed to sick poultry or dairy cows.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu has been spreading among wild birds, poultry, cows, and other animals. Officials urge people who come into contact with sick or dead birds to wear respiratory, eye protection, and gloves when handling poultry.
Wildlife parks operated by the WCS will remain open, and officials said that veterinarians and curators are closely monitoring the situation.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
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