CHICAGO (WLS) — A harbor seal and a Chilean flamingo died from the bird flu this month at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, officials said.

The flamingo died January 8 and the seal died January 9, the Lincoln Park Zoo said.

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The cause of death for both animals has been confirmed as highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, the zoo said.

“The zoo is saddened by the loss of a Chilean flamingo named Teal and a harbor seal named Slater,” Lincoln Park Zoo said in a news release. “Teal hatched this fall and was just getting acquainted with her flock and keepers. Slater was 7 years old and was a beloved seal known for his rambunctious and curious nature. He was a quick learner and often could be seen participating in training sessions with keepers. Both will be deeply missed.”

“Hundreds of millions of birds have died from Bird Flu. It’s been really devastating,” said Dr. Robert Murphy, a professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Infectious Diseases. “The seal is that’s a new one. Nobody really has heard of that before.”

Both likely died after exposure to infected waterfowl. While bird flu spreading to a seal is new, infectious disease experts say the respiratory infection is highly contagious. However, Chicago veterinarian Dr. Jerry Klein said at this point there is not much danger to people’s pets, unless they own an outdoor cat.

“May not be the best time to have them go outside right now, if they’re the ones that kind of catch birds,” Dr. Klein said.

Dr. Klein also advises cat owners to keep their pet away from raw food and unpasteurized dairy products.

“If your cat has any signs of flu, like signs or change in appetite or behavior, especially if it’s combined with tremors or a change in behavior, notify your vet right away.”

Dr. Klein said fortunately no dogs have been affected, and while there has been close to 70 human bird flu cases nationwide, none have come from human to human contact.

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“We haven’t hit the red button yet, so there’s no human to human transmission noted to date,” Dr. Murphy said. “But that is the fear that everybody has, that it will mutate at some point, and then we have to worry about it.”

Dr. Murphy said stockpiled vaccines are available in case in spreads in humans, but there is not a vaccine for animals and experts say there is no easy test for bird flu.

Lincoln Park Zoo is taking many precautions, including closing the McCormick Bird House, but, zoo officials stress visitors are safe and they are not at risk of contracting the virus from the animals.

“Because highly pathogenic avian influenza is spread by free-ranging birds, it is no riskier to visit Lincoln Park Zoo than to enjoy a walk outdoors,” said President & CEO and ornithologist Megan Ross, Ph.D. “The zoo remains a safe place to connect with the animals in our care.”