Popcorn Park Zoo Closes Due To Bird Flu

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  LACEY – The Popcorn Park Animal Refuge in Lacey is temporarily closed for this week after a duck and goose were found dead from bird flu, park officials said.

 On October 24, the Animal Refuge made an announcement on the Facebook page that Popcorn Park was closed and will remain closed until Friday. The zoo said the closure will allow them to “fully sanitize and manage the situation for future exposure.”

  After the two animals were sent for testing, they came back positive for Avian Flu. The Park is currently working closely with the USDA and the NJ State Department of Agriculture to make sure it’s other 200 plus animals do not become sick.

  On Saturday, the Department of Agriculture announced that a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was found in a backyard flock in Ocean County. Their press release did not provide details as to the exact location these birds were found.

  Although bird flu viruses usually do not sicken people, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control states that humans can be infected by the virus through direct contact with infected birds for an extended period of time.