47 Tigers, 3 Lions Die of Bird Flu at Vietnamese Zoos
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The Facts
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.At least 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther have reportedly died due to the H5N1 type A virus in South Vietnam's My Quynh Safari Park and the Vuon Xoai Tourist Park.
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.The Vietnamese Ministry of Health said that the wild animals had likely fallen ill after consuming meat from infected chickens, and officials "are tracking the source of the chicken to determine the cause."
The Spin
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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.
