Point Defiance Zoo closes its puffin habitat after three birds die

TACOMA, Wash. -- Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has temporarily closed its outdoor puffin habitat while investigating the recent deaths of three tufted puffins that may have been infected with avian psittacosis, an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci.

Preliminary findings indicate the birds may have had the disease, also known as avian chlamydiosis, parrot fever, or ornithosis, the zoo said Tuesday. PCR testing is underway to confirm the cause of death.

No active human cases of psittacosis associated with the zoo have been identified, Zoo officials said.

As a precaution, the pathway to the outdoor puffin aviary and the aviary itself have been closed. The habitat is home to tufted puffins, horned puffins, and murres.

Guests can still view puffins and sea otters through the underwater viewing area.

The remaining puffins are being treated with antibiotics.

Animal care staff are using enhanced personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection, gloves, disposable boot coverings, and disinfecting foot baths while caring for the birds.

The zoo also plans to thoroughly clean and decontaminate the aviary before reopening it.

The risk to visitors is believed to be low, but the zoo advised anyone who visited the outdoor puffin habitat in recent weeks to monitor for symptoms, the zoo said.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, people can become infected by breathing dust contaminated with dried bird droppings or respiratory secretions from infected birds.

At the same time, person-to-person transmission is considered very rare.

Symptoms typically develop five to 14 days after exposure and may include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, dry cough, shortness of breath, or pneumonia.

The habitat will remain closed until zoo veterinarians and public health partners determine it is safe to reopen.