Bird flu outbreak kills dozens of tigers in Vietnam zoos
A bird flu outbreak has claimed the lives of 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther in southern Vietnam's zoos. The deaths occurred in 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 official Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported that test results from the National Centre for Animal Health Diagnosis confirmed the cause of death as "H5N1 type A virus."
No zoo staff infected
According to reports, no zoo staff members who were in close contact with the infected animals have reported any respiratory symptoms. This comes as a relief amidst concerns about potential human-to-human transmission of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has been spreading to various mammals worldwide. Notably, the zoos have yet not issued any statements regarding the incident.
Bird flu's impact on Vietnam's captive tiger population
The bird flu outbreak has significantly impacted Vietnam's captive tiger population. According to Education for Nature Vietnam, a wildlife conservation NGO, there were 385 tigers living in captivity in the country at the end of 2023. The majority of these tigers are kept at 16 privately owned farms and zoos, while the rest reside in state-owned facilities.
WHO's warning on H5N1 infections and preventive measures
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an increase in deadly outbreaks among mammals caused by influenza viruses, including H5N1, since 2022. The organization warns that H5N1 infections can range from mild to severe in humans and can sometimes be fatal. In light of this, the WHO advises against consuming raw or incompletely cooked meat and eggs from regions experiencing avian influenza outbreaks due to the high risk of infection.
