Hundreds of red-breasted mergansers have been affected by a bird flu outbreak on Chicago's Lake Michigan shoreline, raising concerns for wildlife and pets.

In an announcement, the zoo said the closure "is out of an abundance of caution meant to protect our avian population from HPAI, commonly known as Avian Influenza, after recent, suspicious bird deaths on the Chicago shores of Lake Michigan."

A beauty spot in a seaside town has a suspected outbreak of avian influenza, also known as bird flu. Blackpool Council said several swans had died at the town's Stanley Park over the last few days. The deaths have been reported to the Department for Environment,

After multiple recent reports of ducks and geese washing up dead on Chicago's lakefront, Illinois wildlife officials tell Axios they believe the deaths are the result of a bird flu resurgence caused by warmer weather.

Public health and natural resource managers in both Illinois and Wisconsin are looking at, but have not yet confirmed, if bird flu is responsible for dozens of bird deaths along lake Michigan. Reports started coming in after dozens of dead ducks washed up on lake beaches between Chicago and Milwaukee.