Bird Flu Outbreak at Arizona Zoo Kills Five Animals, H5 Strain Detected in Hawaii Wastewater

Dec 12, 2024, 02:30 AM

Five animals at the Wildlife World Zoo in Arizona have died after testing positive for H5 avian influenza, including a cheetah, a mountain lion, a swamphen, an Indian goose, and a Kookaburra. A white tiger at the zoo also tested positive but is expected to recover. In a separate incident, the Hawaii Department of Health detected H5 avian influenza in a wastewater sample from the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant on Hawaii Island. Health officials are monitoring the situation but have stated that a vaccine is not yet warranted as the virus isn't spreading among humans or causing severe illness.