Seattle - As the West Nile virus (WNV) sweeps across the country and continues to move westward, Woodland Park Zoo is taking measures to protect its valued wildlife collection and provide a safe environment for its more than 1 million annual visitors. Zoo animal health staff today vaccinated its herd of ponies and announced a plan that addresses abatement of mosquitoes and surveillance activities.

WNV was first detected in the United States in 1999 and has been detected in 42 states. The virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito and can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and other mammals. Washington State Department of Health announced today the first case of a dead bird detected with the virus in our state. “We knew it was inevitable that the virus would strike our region sooner or later,” notes zoo Associate Veterinarian Dr. Darin Collins, “and we wanted to take action now.” Woodland Park has inoculated its ponies and zebras with an equine vaccine, especially developed for the virus.

“We strive to provide the safest and most comfortable environment for our animals and our visitors,” says Collins, “and we’re proactively doing what we can to minimize the health threat of the West Nile virus.” Collins explains that the virus cannot be transmitted directly from animal-to-person or person-to-person. “Direct contact with our ponies or other animals does not pose a threat to our zoo visitors, employees and volunteers,” adds Collins.

Other precautionary measures include eliminating mosquito habitat such as standing water; cutting back vegetation throughout the zoo’s lush 92 acres; setting mosquito traps; applying environmentally-safe insecticides and larvicides around grounds; and pre-screening birds from other zoological institutions. And, in an effort to detect the virus early, Woodland Park, like many zoos around the country, is also participating in surveillance activities with its accrediting organization, American Zoo and Aquarium Association, and local and state public health to monitor and control mosquito activity.

Surveillance activities entail monitoring the grounds for dead or sick wild birds and other mammals, testing all dead animals found on grounds, and reporting tissue samplings to the surveillance network. “Zoos are uniquely positioned to participate in surveillance of wild animals for WNV because of our lush vegetation, which is a magnet for native wildlife,” adds Collins, “and for our pest control programs and expert personnel.” Ongoing monitoring for the presence of West Nile virus in birds and other animals will take place to track the extent of the problem, prevent serious infections, and determine the best strategies to combat the virus.

For more information about WNV, pet and horse owners should contact their veterinarian or visit The American Veterinary Medical Association. Other resources are Washington State Department of Health or Public Health-Seattle & King County at www.metrokc.gov/health.