In southern Vietnam, a severe outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu virus has resulted in the deaths of 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther across various zoos.
The outbreak, which occurred between August and September, affected animals at the My Quynh Safari Park in Long An province and the Vuon Xoai Zoo in Dong Nai, near Ho Chi Minh City, as reported by the official Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
The National Centre for Animal Health Diagnosis confirmed animal infection with the H5N1 type A virus. According to AFP, the affected zoos have not provided comments. VNA also noted that zoo staff in close contact with the infected animals showed no respiratory symptoms.
Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), a wildlife conservation NGO, indicated that as of 2023, Vietnam held 385 captive tigers, with about 310 in private facilities and the remainder in state-run zoos.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has observed an increase in deadly H5N1 outbreaks among mammals since 2022. Although the virus primarily targets birds, it can infect mammals, including humans. In March, Vietnam reported a human death due to the H5N1 virus.
This incident mirrors a 2004 event in Thailand, during which many tigers at the world’s largest breeding farm died or were culled following a bird flu outbreak.
