In brief
The Wild Felid Advocacy Center reported on Facebook that over recent weeks, various species succumbed to the virus, including a Bengal tiger and multiple cougars. The sanctuary, currently under quarantine, has closed its doors to the public to help contain the outbreak.
The outbreak has caused immense grief among the sanctuary staff, noted Mark Mathews, the director, who highlighted that such a loss is unprecedented for the sanctuary, where deaths typically occur due to old age. Bird flu can spread from wild birds primarily through respiratory secretions and bird-to-bird contact, with mammals at risk if they ingest infected birds. As of now, only 17 big cats remain at the center. Furthermore, the bird flu outbreak poses broader concerns as it has also infected cattle and poultry across the U.S., along with prompting several human cases with mild symptoms reported. The CDC reassures the public that the overall risk remains low. In California, an emergency has been declared in response to the spread among dairy cows, emphasizing the urgent nature of this viral threat.
