47 tigers, 2 lions, 1 panther dead in Vietnam zoos from suspected bird flu since Aug. 2024

A suspected outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu has killed dozens of endangered animals in Vietnam zoos and parks.

A total of 47 tigers, two lions, and a black panther have died since August 2024.

While all the humans who had contact with the animals remain in good health, they will continue to be monitored, reported the Vietnam News Agency.

Preventative measures against the virus are also being communicated in high-risk areas, and monitoring teams have been set up regarding the risk of a H5N1 flu outbreak.

Parks and zoos

Of the dead animals, 20 tigers and a black panther were from the Vườn Xoài Tourist Park in Biên Hoà City.

They died of "unclear circumstances" after showing signs of illness and fatigue, VNA reported.

Strict protective measures have since been implemented for the remaining 20 Bengal tigers and other wildlife species at the park, according to a park representative.

The deceased tigers — two of which were found to have died from pneumonia, after clinical inspections and necropsies — will also have their bodies destroyed, as per regulations.

Meanwhile, at the Mỹ Quỳnh Zoo in Long An Province, 27 tigers and two lions were reported to have died between August and Sep. 16, 2024.

The H5N1 virus was found on a tiger sample that was sent for testing.

There are about 385 tigers living in captivity in Vietnam as of end-2023, The Guardian reported.

These include about 310 in privately-owned farms and zoos, and the remainder in state-owned facilities.

Can it spread to people?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), H5N1 is one of several influenza viruses that causes a "highly infectious respiratory disease" in birds.

While it's commonly called "bird flu", infections in mammals, including humans, have also been documented.

In humans, H5N1 can cause a range of disease — with symptoms being primarily respiratory — that varies from mild to severe.

It can also be fatal.

In April 2024, WHO chief scientist Jeremy Farrar raised concerns about H5N1, noting that it has an "extraordinarily high" mortality rate in humans.

"The great concern of course is that in... infecting ducks and chickens and then increasingly mammals, that virus now evolves and develops the ability to infect humans and then critically the ability to go from human to human,” he added, according to The Guardian.

Since 2022, there have been increasing reports of deadly outbreaks among mammals caused by influenza viruses, including H5N1.

Affected species include farmed fur animals, seals, sea lions, foxes, bears, otters, raccoons, cats, dogs, cows, and goats.

Top image from Vườn Xoài Tourist Park/Facebook