Avian Flu Prompts Animal Relocations, New Visitor Rules at Moody Gardens

Moody Gardens revealed new emergency measures on Wednesday in response to the ongoing spread of avian flu along the Texas Gulf Coast. The well-known attraction is taking steps to relocate certain animals and enhance visitor protocols to safeguard its exhibits.

Recent measures have been implemented following the death of dozens of birds in Galveston County due to a strain of the H5N1 virus. On Monday, the Galveston County Health District announced the occurrence of 27 recent bird fatalities associated with the strain. Six of the birds were dispatched to the University of Texas Medical Branch for testing purposes. Medical evaluations were conducted on ten individuals who had direct contact with infected birds, and all results returned negative for influenza.

The Health District stated, “Currently, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission in Galveston County, and the risk to the general public is considered low.”

Moody Gardens announced that it is taking precautionary measures due to the confirmation that the outbreak occurred within a 50-mile radius of its facility. The attraction has informed visitors that it is “taking appropriate steps to mitigate exposure to our animal population within the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids.”

In a decisive move, staff will be relocating macaws from their exhibits within the Rainforest Pyramid. Upon entering the pyramid, guests are required to sanitize strollers, wheelchairs, and any items that come into contact with the ground. Participants in penguin encounters must don masks and shoe coverings to ensure a contamination-free experience.

The measures highlight an increasing alarm as H5N1 expands both worldwide and throughout the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is actively monitoring the virus that has impacted poultry, wild birds, and, most recently, dairy cows. Transmission generally takes place among animals, although there have been rare cases of spread from humans to animals.

As of 2024, there have been 71 reported human cases of bird flu globally, which include two fatalities. Public health officials report that the current risk to Texans is low; however, they stress the necessity of monitoring wildlife fatalities and minimizing contact with infected birds.

Officials at Moody Gardens announced that the emergency measures will stay in effect until the threat level subsides. The popular destination, featuring an aquarium, a rainforest habitat, and various educational programs, attracts thousands of visitors to the Galveston seawall on a weekly basis.

The Health District is urging residents to refrain from handling sick or deceased birds and to notify local authorities about any unusual wildlife fatalities, as surveillance efforts persist throughout the Gulf Coast.