A recent bird flu outbreak killed 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther in zoos in southern Vietnam. The animals died between August and September at My Quynh Safari Park in Long An province and Vuon Xoai Zoo in Dong Nai, near Ho Chi Minh City. The National Centre for Animal Health Diagnosis confirmed that the H5N1 bird flu virus caused the deaths, as reported by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
Tests identified the H5N1 virus in the affected animals, but the zoos involved have not commented on the situation. Fortunately, none of the zoo staff members in close contact with the infected animals showed any respiratory symptoms.
According to Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), a wildlife conservation NGO, Vietnam had 385 tigers in captivity in 2023, with around 310 kept in private facilities and the rest in state-run zoos. These tiger deaths have significantly impacted the country’s captive tiger population.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has tracked a rising number of bird flu outbreaks among mammals, including tigers, lions, and even humans, since 2022. While the virus usually affects birds, it has spread to other species and caused human deaths. Vietnam reported one human death from H5N1 in March 2023.
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This event mirrors a 2004 outbreak in Thailand, where dozens of tigers at a breeding farm died or were culled due to bird flu. The recent outbreak highlights the continued threat posed by the H5N1 virus and the importance of taking measures to prevent its spread.