In a suspected zoonotic outbreak at a zoo, which action is described as appropriate to prevent disease spread to visitors?

• A. Inform the visitors that the zoo is closed due to illness. You do not want to risk a zoonotic disease spreading to the visitors
• B. Let the school group into the zoo, but limit the tour to pens with unaffected animals
• C. Nothing. This disease is unlikely to be spread by zoo visitors
• D. Let the school group into the zoo, but do not let them visit the petting zoo

Answer: (A)

Preventing exposure is the priority when a zoonotic outbreak is suspected. Closing the zoo and informing visitors eliminates the chance of contact with potentially infected animals or contaminated environments, giving public health teams time to assess, isolate, and control the source. Even if some animals appear unaffected, transmission can occur through direct contact, aerosols, or shared surfaces, so keeping the public away is the safest protective measure. Partial access or continuing tours would still expose people to risk and delay proper outbreak management.