Canada geese and goslings congregate in front of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo entrance at Roeding Park. Photo by Gabriel Dillard

Two waterfowl have died due to avian influenza at Roeding Park, according to a Monday news release from the Fresno mayor’s office.

“Avian influenza viruses do not normally infect people, but rare cases of human infection have occurred with some bird flu viruses,” said Dr. Kenny Banh of UCSF Fresno. “No known human-to-human spread has occurred with the A(H5N1) virus that is currently circulating in birds in the United States.” 

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo has been monitoring the virus for several months and has continued to take precautionary measures to protect its birds.

“While this is a highly infectious disease, our teams enacted our safety plan months ago for this very scenario,” said Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Shannon Nodolf. “We are protecting all of our birds and will continue to monitor the level of risk to take further precautions.”

Bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses, but usually do not get sick from them. However, it is very contagious and can cause life-threatening illnesses in susceptible birds, including many zoo species. 

Since the bird flu has now been found in California, the Zoo has decided to close off access to their aviaries and move birds found outside of the aviaries to alternative housing off-habitat.