Numerous tigers and lions in captivity have perished in southern Vietnam over the past month, with tests confirming they were infected with bird flu, according to the health ministry and state media reports on Thursday.
The Ministry of Health stated that two samples taken from deceased tigers at Mango Garden Resort in Dong Nai province tested positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu. Since early last month, twenty tigers have succumbed to the disease at the resort.
The global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu, to mammals such as cows, dogs, cats, and even dolphins has sparked concerns about the potential for human-to-human transmission.
In neighboring Long An province, 27 tigers and three lions died from bird flu at My Quynh Safari between September 6 and 18, as reported by state media, citing provincial agricultural authorities.
Phan Van Phuc, an official from Dong Nai province's Centre for Disease Control, noted in the health ministry statement that the tigers at Mango Garden Resort had been fed chicken before their deaths. "It's likely that the tigers were infected from sick chicken, and the authorities are tracing the source of the chicken to ascertain the cause," the statement quoted Phan as saying.
The World Health Organisation, on its website, cautions against consuming raw or undercooked meat and eggs from regions experiencing avian influenza outbreaks due to the elevated risk of infection.
