CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Two cranes cared for by the Metro Richmond Zoo are dead after they became sick with bird flu. Bird flu, otherwise known as avian influenza, is a disease that spreads naturally among wild water birds worldwide, though it is known to infect poultry, other birds and animals, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Since Jan. 2022, an H5 bird flu virus has been found in American wild birds. On Monday, Jan. 20, the Metro Richmond Zoo -- located in Chesterfield County -- released a statement regarding the recent death of two of its cranes. According to that statement, the cranes tested positive for H5 bird flu at a laboratory run by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) on Thursday, Jan. 16. A spokesperson confirmed that this illness caused their deaths. 33 dogs rescued from alleged hoarding case in southwestern Virginia "This is the first positive test of bird flu in the zoo’s 30-year history," the zoo said in its statement. "The affected birds did not live in any of our aviaries where the public share a common space with birds." The zoo added that the public's risk of infection is considered low. While H5 bird flu is capable of spreading to humans, it only happens rarely. However, when it does, it can be deadly. "The zoo is saddened by the loss of the cranes and our thoughts are with the zookeepers who cared for them," the zoo said. "Our animal care team remains committed to providing the best care for our animals. We are taking precautions to keep our animals, staff and guests safe and healthy." According to the zoo, the VDH and VDACS are both working to evaluate the zoo and protect the health of the zoo's visitors and staff and its animals, respectively. The Home Depot Foundation partners with local nonprofit to build furniture for African American cemeteries The VDH is monitoring the health of zoo staff who had close contact with the cranes, while VDACS is screening all other animals at the zoo to ensure they are not sick. "Since the risk to the public is low, the zoo will continue to operate normally during the multi-agency investigation," the zoo said. However, the zoo added that the budgie exhibit and walk-through bird aviary will be temporarily closed "out of an abundance of caution." These two cranes mark the second and third Virginia cases that have been identified and announced by state agencies this January. VDACS recently reported that bird flu had been found on Virginia's Eastern Shore in a flock of commercial chickens.