Vietnam is investigating the deaths of dozens of tigers and lions

Flash H5N1 viruscommonly known as avian flu, caused death of 47 tigers, three lions and a panther in two private zoos in the south VietnamState media reported this.

The deaths, which occurred in August and September, raised concerns about both the death of animals and the possible risk of infection. Affected parks safari in May Quynhlocated in Long An Province, and Vuon Soai Zooin Dong Nai, near the economic capital of the country, City Ho Chi Minh. According to National Diagnostic Center for Animal Healthcats died due to infection with the H5N1 type A virus, which was confirmed Official Vietnam News Agency (VNA)

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bird flu

Until now, No human infections associated with this outbreak have been reported. and there were no respiratory symptoms associated with the virus among zoo staff. Despite this, health authorities have taken precautionary measures such as temporary closure of zoos to prevent the possible spread of the disease.

The virus, which typically infects birds, has shown increasing ability to infect mammals in recent years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. Since 2022, there has been an alarming increase in avian influenza outbreaks among mammals, putting authorities on alert. Although the virus is less common in humans, The WHO has documented that infections can range from mild symptoms to serious and even fatal conditions.. In March this year, Vietnam reported one death from H5N1.

Vulnerability of tigers in captivity

There are about 385 tigers in captivity in Vietnam, of which about 310 are kept in zoos and private farms.according to NGOs Education for Nature Vietnamdedicated to wildlife conservation. The outbreak highlights the vulnerability of captive cats to zoonotic diseases, and authorities are working to prevent the situation from getting worse.

This outbreak is not the first in Southeast Asia. In 2004, an outbreak of bird flu affected dozens of tigers. at the largest tiger farm in the world at the time, located in Thailandforcing animals to be euthanized to contain the spread of the virus. The current situation in Vietnam is once again raising questions about biosecurity measures and animal welfare in the region’s zoos and nurseries.

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