Five animals may have died from the sheep herpes virus, and the last remaining had to be euthanized. People cannot be affected by it.
Five bison have died at Vienna’s Schönbrunn Zoo after contracting the sheep herpes virus. The zoo made the announcement on Facebook on Wednesday. After internal deliberations, the last remaining bison, a young animal, had to be euthanized. This means that the zoo does not have any specimens of wild cows. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of these wonderful animals,” the post said.
Initial pathology results suggest associated disease. “Oessant sheep from the petting zoo are potential carriers,” it says. In this context, the zoo explained that the potential sheep herpes virus is not transmissible to humans. It was asserted that it would not have been justified to keep the bison calf separately for animal welfare reasons and because of the legal framework. “Due to possible infection, the animal could not have been transferred to another bison facility,” the zoo wrote in a social media post.
Sheep do not get sick from the virus
Zoo experts are currently working to prevent further outbreaks. “Over the next few days, the Ossant sheep at the zoo should be delivered to suitable homes.” In principle, sheep can be a carrier of goats. Sheep themselves do not get sick, but can transmit the virus to bison and other livestock, among others, and the disease is usually fatal. “The rapid release of the sheep is intended to reduce the risk of further infection,” the zoo stressed. (APA)