5 animals die after getting the bird flu at Phoenix-area zoo [Video]

LITCHFIELD PARK, AZ (AZFamily) — The Maricopa County Department of Public Health has announced deadly cases of bird flu, this time impacting several zoo animals in the West Valley.

Health officials announced Wednesday that animals in a zoo collection at Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park 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 12-year-old white tiger named Winter tested positive but was recovering.

“The second that our veterinarians saw symptoms that coincide with avian influenza, they immediately got in touch with the state vet, and the state vet was able to quickly confirm that that’s what we we’re dealing with,” Wildlife World Zoo president Kristy Hayden said.