Bird Flu Outbreak Devastates Vietnamese Zoos, Killing Dozens of Tigers
A deadly outbreak of bird flu has ravaged two zoos in southern Vietnam, killing over 40 tigers and several other large cats, The Associated Press reports, citing officials.
The outbreak, which has been linked to the highly contagious H5N1 virus, is raising concerns about the health of captive animals and the potential for the virus to spread to humans.
At Vuon Xoai zoo in Bien Hoa city, 20 tigers, including several cubs, died within a matter of days. The zoo’s manager, Nguyen Ba Phuc, described the animals as suddenly becoming weak, refusing food, and succumbing to the illness rapidly. Samples taken from the deceased tigers tested positive for H5N1. The zoo has incinerated and buried the bodies of the animals and is isolating over 20 other tigers for observation.
A similar outbreak occurred at My Quynh Safari in nearby Long An province, where 27 tigers and 3 lions died within a week in September. While the exact cause of these deaths is still being investigated, they are believed to be linked to the same H5N1 strain.
“The deaths of 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther at My Quynh Safari and Vuon Xoai Zoo amid Vietnam’s bird flu outbreak are tragic and highlight the risks of keeping wild animals in captivity,” PETA Senior Vice President Jason Baker said in a statement sent.
The virus, which was first identified in 1959, has evolved and become increasingly prevalent in recent years. While primarily affecting birds, H5N1 has been detected in a growing number of mammals, including dogs, cats, sea lions, and polar bears. In cats, the virus has been shown to attack the brain, causing seizures and death.
The Vietnamese government is closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to contain the outbreak. All 30 zoo staff who were in contact with the tigers have tested negative for the virus. However, the recent cases in the United States, where two dairy workers contracted the virus, highlight the potential for zoonotic transmission to humans.
