Bird flu kills 47 tigers, 3 lions and a panther in Vietnam zoos, state media reports
FOX NewsSEP 20 2024
The deaths occurred in August and September at the private My Quynh safari park in Long An province and the Vuon Xoai zoo in Dong Nai, near Ho Chi Minh City.
The National Centre for Animal Health Diagnosis confirmed through test results that the animals succumbed to the H5N1 type A virus, while no zoo staff members in close contact with the infected animals reported respiratory symptoms.
According to Education for Nature Vietnam, an NGO focused on wildlife conservation, there were 385 tigers living in captivity in Vietnam at the end of 2023, with 310 kept at 16 privately owned farms and zoos.
While the loss of these big cats is unfortunate, it's important to note that such outbreaks are rare and isolated incidents. The fact that no zoo staff members reported symptoms suggests that the risk of transmission to humans remains low. Existing safety protocols in zoos are generally effective, and this event should not deter conservation efforts or public engagement with wildlife.