endangered animals

A recent H5N1 bird flu outbreak broke out in two zoos in Vietnam, resulting in the deaths of 47 tigers, 3 lions and 1 leopard The zoo initially suspected food poisoning as the cause of death died as a result of infection with the H5N1 virus However, there were no cases of animal-to-human transmission during this wave of the epidemic.

According to reports from the Guardian and Vietnam News Agency, these animal deaths occurred in the private wildlife park My Quynh Zoo (My Quynh Zoo) in the southern province of Long An (Long An) and Dong Nai from August to September District in Dong Nai Province, both bordering Ho Chi Minh City.

The report mentioned test results from Vietnam’s National Animal Health Diagnostic Center, saying that the cause of death of these animals is infection with the H5N1 virus, the park raises Bengal tigers and white lions, brown bears, panthers blacks, small bears, rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses, with a total number of more than 3,000; Meiqun Zoo is famous for creating a semi-wild ecology and raising endangered animals.

According to reports, tigers in the Mango Orchard resort showed signs of fatigue and weakness before they died, according to a spokesperson for the Mango Orchard, 17 tigers, including several weeks old cubs, and one leopard died in the park last month. . In addition, veterinary officers from the animal health offices of Ho Chi Minh City and the surrounding areas have conducted clinical examinations and autopsies on two dead tigers in Bengal. The results of the examination showed that tigers died of diseases.

According to official reports, 27 tigers and 3 lions died at Mae Chung Zoo between August and September 16. Three of the animals were bought from mango orchards and did not go through proper quarantine procedures. The local government initially suspected food poisoning, but after testing, it was found that the animal died of infection, and it was confirmed that the animal contained the H5N1 bird flu virus. Both departments have sent veterinarians to zoos to monitor disinfection and health checks for animals and other staff.

The H5N1 virus is understood to be a highly contagious disease that can be transmitted from poultry such as chickens and ducks to humans and wild animals. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine, although so far there is no evidence that H5N1 will spread between humans and animals It spreads from person to person, but since 2023, incidents have been reported around the world, including humanitarian issues in Cambodia.

The Vietnam Nature Education Agency indicated that at the end of 2023, a total of 385 tigers were kept in captivity in Vietnam, of which about 310 were kept in private farms and zoos, and the rest were kept in the state resources. From 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) noted an increase in cases of fatal outbreaks of H5N1 viruses in mammals. In response to this incident, the Vietnam News Agency said that although the zoo staff had close contact with the infected animals, no one has developed respiratory symptoms so far.