A recent avian flu outbreak has resulted in the death of 20 big cats at a Washington animal sanctuary, sparking concern over the virus's impact on both wildlife and the community.
Bird Flu Outbreak Claims Lives of 20 Big Cats at Washington Sanctuary
Bird Flu Outbreak Claims Lives of 20 Big Cats at Washington Sanctuary
Tragic loss of big cats highlights growing virality of bird flu in wildlife.
The article text:
A devastating outbreak of bird flu has reportedly claimed the lives of 20 big cats at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington. Among the deceased animals are a Bengal tiger, four cougars, and various other wild felines, prompting an outpouring of grief from both staff and animal lovers. "This tragedy has deeply affected our team, and we are all grieving the loss of these incredible animals," the center noted in a heartfelt post on Facebook.
The avian influenza, primarily carried by wild birds, spreads through respiratory secretions and can also lead to severe infections in mammals that consume infected birds. Due to the alarming situation, the sanctuary has implemented a quarantine and is closed to the public to curb any further spread of the virus. Director Mark Mathews expressed profound sorrow, stating, "We've never had anything like it; they usually die basically of old age."
The spate of deaths occurred between late November and mid-December, and the sanctuary reported losing five African serval cats, four bobcats, and two Canada lynx, leaving only 17 cats remaining at the facility. The viral infection often manifests with subtle symptoms but can escalate quickly, leading to pneumonia-like conditions and death within 24 hours.
As the bird flu spreads further among U.S. poultry and cattle populations, the sanctuary's grim news comes amid reports of 61 human cases in the country, as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While the agency asserts that the risk to the general public remains low, there have been sporadic severe cases, including one hospitalization in Louisiana.
Adding pressure to the situation, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently declared an emergency due to the outbreak among dairy cows, aiming to equip the state with resources to counter the rapid spread of this virus. The crisis underscores a growing concern surrounding the interspecies transmission of avian flu and its impact on wildlife and agriculture alike.
A devastating outbreak of bird flu has reportedly claimed the lives of 20 big cats at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington. Among the deceased animals are a Bengal tiger, four cougars, and various other wild felines, prompting an outpouring of grief from both staff and animal lovers. "This tragedy has deeply affected our team, and we are all grieving the loss of these incredible animals," the center noted in a heartfelt post on Facebook.
The avian influenza, primarily carried by wild birds, spreads through respiratory secretions and can also lead to severe infections in mammals that consume infected birds. Due to the alarming situation, the sanctuary has implemented a quarantine and is closed to the public to curb any further spread of the virus. Director Mark Mathews expressed profound sorrow, stating, "We've never had anything like it; they usually die basically of old age."
The spate of deaths occurred between late November and mid-December, and the sanctuary reported losing five African serval cats, four bobcats, and two Canada lynx, leaving only 17 cats remaining at the facility. The viral infection often manifests with subtle symptoms but can escalate quickly, leading to pneumonia-like conditions and death within 24 hours.
As the bird flu spreads further among U.S. poultry and cattle populations, the sanctuary's grim news comes amid reports of 61 human cases in the country, as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While the agency asserts that the risk to the general public remains low, there have been sporadic severe cases, including one hospitalization in Louisiana.
Adding pressure to the situation, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently declared an emergency due to the outbreak among dairy cows, aiming to equip the state with resources to counter the rapid spread of this virus. The crisis underscores a growing concern surrounding the interspecies transmission of avian flu and its impact on wildlife and agriculture alike.
