Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo Confirms Bird Flu Deaths of Seal and Flamingo

A harbor seal and a Chilean flamingo at Lincoln Park Zoo died after exposure to highly pathogenic avian influenza, marking the first known cases in the zoo's animals.

Lincoln Park Zoo announced that a 7-year-old harbor seal named Slater and a baby Chilean flamingo named Teal died from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) earlier this month.
The zoo believes the animals were exposed to the virus through contact with infected waterfowl, though the exact source remains unconfirmed.
Zoo officials emphasized that visitors are not at risk of contracting bird flu, as the virus is primarily spread through contact with infected birds' saliva, nasal secretions, or feces.
In response to the outbreak, the zoo has implemented safety measures, including additional protective equipment for staff, increased monitoring of animal health, and the temporary closure of its McCormick Bird House.
Experts warn that while human cases of bird flu remain rare and the risk of human-to-human transmission is low, the virus's ongoing mutations could potentially increase its impact.