Bird Flu Outbreak Claims Lives of Dozens of Tigers in Vietnam Zoos

A recent outbreak of bird flu has resulted in the deaths of dozens of tigers, three lions, and a panther in zoos and safari parks across southern Vietnam. The H5N1 virus was detected in multiple animals, raising concerns about the spread of this highly pathogenic avian influenza among mammals.

According to the Ministry of Health, two samples taken from deceased tigers at the Mango Garden Resort in Dong Nai province tested positive for the H5N1 strain. Reports indicate that 20 tigers died at this resort after being fed infected chicken, which authorities suspect may be the source of the virus. Phan Van Phuc, an official from Dong Nai’s Centre for Disease Control, stated, “It’s likely that the tigers had been infected from sick chicken, and the authorities are tracking the source of the chicken to determine the cause.”

In addition to the casualties at Mango Garden Resort, state media previously reported that a total of 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther had died at the My Quynh safari park in Long An province and the Vuon Xoai zoo in Dong Nai between August and September. Test results from the National Centre for Animal Health Diagnosis confirmed that the animals died due to the H5N1 type A virus.

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While the outbreak has caused significant fatalities among the big cats, there have been no reports of respiratory symptoms among zoo staff members who were in contact with the animals. Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), an NGO dedicated to wildlife conservation, highlighted that there were approximately 385 tigers in captivity in Vietnam at the end of 2023, with about 310 housed in privately owned facilities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted an increase in reported outbreaks of influenza viruses, including H5N1, among mammals since 2022. These infections can manifest as mild or severe illnesses in humans, and in some cases, can be fatal. Vietnam alerted the WHO about a human death caused by the virus earlier this year.

Historically, bird flu has posed a significant threat to wildlife. For instance, in 2004, dozens of tigers at the world’s largest breeding farm in Thailand were either culled or died due to bird flu infections. As this current outbreak unfolds, Vietnamese authorities are on high alert, working to contain the spread of the virus and prevent further loss of wildlife.