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Safari West cheetah first zoo animal with swine flu

The Elements

Safari West cheetah first zoo animal with swine flu

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An 8-year-old cheetah that loves to play soccer with its trainers at Santa Rosa's Safari West is the first-known exotic animal in the U.S. to come down with swine flu.

The graceful female, named Gijima, tested positive last month to the H1N1 virus after staff members observed it on Nov. 15 coughing, acting lethargic and showing no interest in food.

The staff tested Gijima because Safari West Director Nancy Lang recently had read of a family house cat with similar symptoms that was confirmed to have contracted swine flu. Lang, who with her husband Peter owns the 400-acre wildlife preserve, said she nonetheless was “absolutely stunned” when the cheetah tested positive.

Gijima, whose name means “fast,” has fully recovered, and on Wednesday appeared briefly in the crisp morning air within its large outdoor enclosure. She is one of four cheetahs among the preserve's 700 animals, including giraffes, addax antelopes and Grant's gazelles. While the staff can't be certain, they suspect Gijima became infected from a human, Lang said. They have ruled out the general public because of barriers that keep guests back about three feet from the cheetah enclosure.

A spokesman for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in Silver Springs, Md., confirmed that the cheetah is the first case of swine flu in an exotic animal to come to the group's attention. Spokesman Steve Feldman praised Safari West for quick action and for helping alert other zoos and wildlife preserves to the news. He also emphasized that the animals in zoological institutions don't present a risk of infecting people. “This is not a public health issue as much as an animal health issue,” Feldman said.

A small number of pets have contracted the H1N1 virus from humans. On Tuesday the American Veterinary Medical Association listed cases in Iowa, Utah, Oregon and Colorado, but not California. There is no evidence that humans have become infected by their pets.

What remains key for animal handlers is to employ the same safety procedures as when around humans, only “in the zoological environment,” Feldman said. Among those procedures: “Stay home when you're sick, and especially for our employees who come in close proximity with animals, to limit their contact with animals if they're not feeling well.”

At Safari West, located off Porter Creek Road in the hills above Larkfield, Lang said the staff regularly sterilizes tools and food bowls, sterilizes shoes in foot baths before entering enclosures and uses separate gloves for each animal's food bowl.

Gijima already was receiving antibiotics before the test results came back confirming the H1N1 virus. Marie Martinez, who oversees the cheetahs, said the cheetah's care was “kind of like for your kids” who are sick. Staff provided the animal a warm bed, adequate food, water and rest. Lang expressed relief at Gijima's recovery. “We feel extremely fortunate to have the cat in great health,” she said.

Source: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091209/ARTICLES/912099922/0/LIFESTYLE09