Calgary petting zoo temporarily closed after avian flu cases reported

Butterfield Acres farm in Foothills County, Alta., was ordered to close after avian flu cases were confirmed. Recent visitors are being asked to monitor for symptoms.

A popular Calgary petting zoo and farm has had to close its doors temporarily after Alberta Health Services confirmed nine cases of avian flu in poultry.

According to the agency, Primary Care Alberta was notified on Thursday of nine poultry cases of the avian flu at Butterfield Acres in Foothills County, which also operates a petting zoo.

Officials said the facility was closed voluntarily from Oct. 13 to 17, and a formal order was issued by AHS on Oct. 17.

Butterfield Acres must stay closed until the conditions of the order are met and until public health inspectors and medical officers of health deem it safe to reopen.

While avian flu, also known as the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, is rare in humans, infections have occurred through close contact with infected animals.

Individuals who visited the petting farm between Oct. 6 and 12 are being asked to monitor for symptoms.

Those who visited the farm during this period and have since experienced a fever, sore throat, cough, or other flu-like symptoms are asked to isolate at home and call Health Link at 811 for assessment and testing. AHS said to select option “2” and then option “1” when calling 811.

People who have not experienced symptoms do not need to call 811, but are advised to continue to monitor their health.