Dozens of tigers have tragically died in zoos across southern Vietnam due to a recent bird flu outbreak, as reported by state media.
In addition to the 47 tigers that have succumbed to the virus since August, three lions and a panther have also been affected. The H5N1 outbreak has impacted the Vuon Xoai zoo near Ho Chi Minh City and the My Quynh safari park in the nearby Long An province.
A government official informed Reuters that the animals likely contracted the virus after being fed meat from infected chickens. The Vietnamese Ministry of Health stated that two samples taken from deceased tigers tested positive for bird flu, and officials are currently working to trace the source of the contaminated chicken to identify the cause of the outbreak.
When approached by AFP news agency, the zoos declined to provide any comments on the situation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises against consuming raw or undercooked meat and eggs from areas experiencing bird flu outbreaks, given the high risk of infection. The H5N1 strain primarily affects animals, and the WHO notes that nearly all human cases arise from close contact with infected birds, whether live or dead, or from contaminated environments.
Since 2022, there has been a rise in reports of deadly outbreaks among mammals caused by influenza viruses, including H5N1. Since 2003, nearly 900 human infections have been documented, with more than half resulting in fatalities.