City of Wellington
Wellington park temporarily closed due to suspected bird flu
Published: Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:59 AM EST|Updated: 3 hours ago
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The City of Wellington advised that
Woods Park and Donut Bay are closed temporarily due to a suspected avian influenza outbreak. The city said that its staff is working to address the potential outbreak and is “coordinating closely with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) Research and Survey Office.”
The city advised the residents shouldn’t approach, handle or attempt to assist any birds that appear ill. Birds exhibiting Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) might show one or more of the following symptoms:
athogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) might show one or more of the following symptoms:
- Neurological impairment, including lack of coordination, disorientation, inability to hold the head up, hunched posture, tremors, seizures, or twisted neck
- Difficulty breathing, such as open‑mouth breathing or wheezing
- Nasal discharge, coughing, or sneezing, sometimes with blood‑tinged fluid
- Sudden death
“While the risk of avian influenza to the general public is considered very low, humans and pets can be vulnerable, especially those with weakened immune systems,” the City of Wellington advised.
Based on KWDP guidelines, the city advised taking the following precautions:
- Avoid touching or approaching wildlife. Observe from a safe distance. If contact occurs, avoid touching your face and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating, drinking, or smoking.
- Do not touch diseased or dead wildlife. Sick birds should not be taken to rehabilitators or zoos, as doing so increases the risk of spreading the disease to vulnerable captive birds. Do not transport sick wildlife in vehicles, into homes, or into public spaces.
- Keep pets away from birds that appear sick. Do not allow them to lick or eat sick or dead waterfowl.
- Do not handle or consume sick game birds.
The City of Wellington said that Woods Park will remain closed until further notice and that no members of the public will be allowed beyond the barricades at the park entrances.
https://www.kwch.com/2026/02/03/wellington-park-temporarily-closed-due-suspected-bird-flu/
