According to state media on Wednesday, the H5N1 bird flu virus has killed 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther in zoos around southern Vietnam.
According to the official Vietnam News Agency (VNA), the deadly outbreak happened between August and September at the Vuon Xoai Zoo in Dong Nai, which is close to Ho Chi Minh City, and the private My Quynh Safari Park in Long An province.
The animals’ H5N1 type A virus infection was verified by tests carried out by the National Centre for Animal Health Diagnosis. According to AFP, the zoos have declined to comment, and the VNA article stated that no employees who had direct contact with the diseased animals had shown any signs of respiratory illness.
