5 animals die after being diagnosed with bird flu at Maricopa County zoo [Video]

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The Maricopa County Health Department has announced additional cases of bird flu, this time impacting several zoo animals, many of whom died after contracting the virus.

Health officials announced Wednesday that animals in a zoo collection at Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park tested positive for the H5N1 avian flu.

Zoo officials confirmed that a cheetah, mountain lion, swamphen, Canadian goose, and a kookaburra died. A white tiger tested positive but was recovering.

“People who have job-related exposures to infected animals, especially close prolonged exposure, are at higher risk of infection,” said Dr. Nick Staab, assistant medical director at the department. “Public health’s recommendations …