Two animal parks in southern Vietnam have recently experienced outbreaks of avian flu, leading to the deaths of nearly 50 tigers and several lions.
According to Vietnamese state media VNExpress, the parks affected by the avian flu outbreak include Vuon Xoai in Bien Hoa city. A park official stated that the animals fell ill after consuming raw chicken meat purchased from nearby farms.
Among the casualties were a jaguar and 20 tigers, including several cubs, weighing between 10 to 120 kilograms. The bodies have been cremated and buried within the park.
The park manager expressed, “The tigers died too quickly. They appeared weak, refused to eat, and died two days after falling ill.”
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health stated that samples collected from the deceased tigers tested positive for the H5N1 avian flu virus.
Officials from Dong Nai province’s Disease Control Center mentioned in the health ministry’s statement that the tigers had been fed chicken meat prior to their deaths.
One official said, “The tigers likely contracted the illness from infected chickens, and authorities are tracing the source of the chickens to determine the cause.”
The World Health Organization warned on its website that raw meat and undercooked chicken eggs in high-risk areas of avian flu outbreaks pose significant infection risks, advising against consumption.
Additionally, Vietnamese media reported that an outbreak also occurred at a zoo in Long An province, where 27 tigers and 3 lions succumbed to avian flu between September 6 and 18.
The H5N1 avian flu virus was first discovered in 1959 and has since evolved into a widespread and deadly threat to wild birds and poultry. In recent years, H5N1 has been detected in an increasing range of animals, from dogs and cats to sea lions and polar bears.
For felines, scientists found that the virus attacks their brains, damaging and clotting blood vessels, leading to seizures and death.
Twenty other tigers at the Dong Nai Province zoo affected by the avian flu have been isolated for monitoring. The zoo houses around 3,000 other animals, including lions, bears, rhinos, hippos, and giraffes.
Thirty staff members who cared for the infected tigers tested negative for avian flu, with normal health.
Occasionally, unusual flu strains from animals are found in humans. U.S. health officials announced on Thursday (October 3) that two dairy workers in California had contracted avian flu. This brings the total human cases of avian flu infection in the U.S. this year to 16.
Avian flu has caused hundreds of deaths worldwide, with the majority involving direct contact between humans and infected birds.
(This article references reports from the Associated Press and Reuters)