Zoo on forefront of Avian flu fight

The zoo's protocol for handling avian flu includes several procedures aimed at protecting the animal collection from an emerging disease. The protocol, in practice since April, consists of four response levels depending on the proximity of avian flu to the Milwaukee area.

The zoo is operating at Level 1 - or normal - and that won't change unless a highly pathogenic influenza enters North America.

Zoo officials acted early because of their experience with the West Nile virus in 2002, when 12 penguins died, said Kim Smith, bird curator and one of the primary authors of the response plan.

They learned that after an initial outbreak, there is absolutely no immunity against an emerging disease. "We will take no chances," Smith said.

She has been at the forefront of the national effort to prepare zoos for avian flu. She serves as the chairwoman of the Avian Scientific Advisory Group for the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, which advises bird curators on issues of bird management in zoos.

Nationwide, zoos will act as surveillance and monitoring tools for avian flu.

"Zoos are a perfect sentinel," said Robyn Barbiers, vice president of collections at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and chairwoman of the Animal Health Committee for the zoo association. "We are here 365 days a year with trained staff and veterinary care. If there is a disease with the potential to affect zoos, we will notice it."

Not a worry for humans

Authorities at the Milwaukee zoo worked with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the zoo association and local public health officials to develop the procedures, which focus on the health and safety of the bird collection. If avian flu were to develop into a human disease, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would take over.

Zoo Director Charles Wikenhauser said he believes the zoo is well-equipped in the event of an outbreak. The aviary and Animal Health Center, built in 2003, provide holding areas large enough to accommodate the birds, including the penguins, if quarantine is necessary.

People should not be worried about visiting the zoo even if avian flu gets closer, said Donald Janssen, associate director of veterinary services at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

People have become sick with the H5N1 virus strain of avian flu , but it is very difficult for humans to become infected.

"The virus would need a major change (to easily infect humans), and it has remained the same for roughly the past 10 years," Janssen said. "H5N1 is very bad news for birds, not people."

No cases of avian flu have been found in North America. The World Health Organization reports 228 human cases and 130 human deaths from avian flu.

Although threats of avian flu prompted the zoo to create a plan, the protocol applies to any emerging disease that could endanger the animals. Smith stressed that zoos in general have biosecurity measures already in place.

An important part of the policy is ongoing communication between the zoo and local and federal authorities. "Most importantly," Smith said, "we want to avoid euthanization of the collection over a scare."

Managing infection

Each of the more than 80 species of birds at the zoo is considered equally susceptible to avian flu and would be treated the same under the plan. If avian flu entered the vicinity, the zoo would work with regulatory officials to possibly quarantine cats and primates. These are the remaining three levels in the protocol:

• Level 2 corresponds to an incident of the H5N1 strain in North America and would require cautionary measures, such as posting a sign at the aviary to keep out those people who have visited an outbreak area. Uncooked poultry and raw eggs would be removed from any animal diets.

• Level 3 corresponds to an incident of avian flu in neighboring states or Ontario. The aviary and the Family Farm and Animal Encounter buildings would be closed. All birds on the premises would be quarantined. Working with the CDC, the zoo would decide whether to vaccinate employees.

• Level 4 corresponds to avian flu entering Wisconsin or northern Illinois. All birds would remain quarantined, and outdoor ponds would be drained.