In a devastating report, South Vietnam has confirmed the deaths of 53 big cats due to the H5N1 bird flu virus. The casualties include 47 tigers, three lions, and one panther, primarily 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 fatalities occurred between August and September, as reported by the official Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
The National Centre for Animal Health Diagnosis conducted tests confirming that the animals succumbed to the H5N1 type A virus. While zoo staff were reported to have no respiratory symptoms following close contact with the deceased animals, the zoos involved declined to provide further comments on the situation.
Also Read: Do Elephants Communicate by Using Each Other‘s Names ?
According to Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), an NGO focused on wildlife conservation, Vietnam was home to approximately 385 tigers in captivity by the end of 2023. Out of these, around 310 tigers are housed in privately owned facilities and zoos, with the remainder in state-run establishments.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted a concerning rise in H5N1 outbreaks among mammals since 2022, emphasizing that these infections can range from mild to severe in humans, and can even be fatal. In March, Vietnam reported a human fatality linked to the virus. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing risks posed by the H5N1 virus, especially in wildlife.
