A devastating outbreak of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has led to the deaths of dozens of tigers in two zoos in southern Vietnam, according to reports from state media. The virus, identified as the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, has also claimed the lives of several other big cats, including three lions and a panther, since the outbreak began in August 2024.
The affected zoos include Vuon Xoai zoo, located near Ho Chi Minh City, and the My Quynh safari park, situated in neighboring Long An province. The situation has sent shockwaves through the conservation community and raised alarms about the potential spread of zoonotic diseases from animals to humans in regions grappling with outbreaks of avian influenza.
The scale of the deaths has been staggering, with 47 tigers alone succumbing to the virus. The death toll also includes three lions and a panther, further underscoring the devastating impact of the outbreak on the zoo’s endangered wildlife. This loss is particularly significant given that many of these animals belong to critically endangered species already threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
The alarming deaths of these animals come as a sharp reminder of the broader risks posed by bird flu outbreaks to both wildlife and human health. The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has confirmed that two samples taken from the deceased tigers tested positive for the H5N1 strain, which has been the cause of several global bird flu outbreaks since the early 2000s. Health officials are now working to trace the origin of the infected meat, which is believed to have been fed to the animals, to prevent further contamination.
According to an official who spoke to Reuters news agency, it is suspected that the animals at Vuon Xoai and My Quynh fell ill after consuming infected meat, possibly from chickens carrying the H5N1 virus. Avian influenza can spread rapidly among birds, particularly in poultry, where large numbers of chickens are often raised in close quarters. Contaminated meat, if not properly handled or cooked, can serve as a vector for the virus, transmitting it to other animals, including carnivorous species like tigers and lions.
The zoos involved have not commented on the outbreak or the subsequent deaths when contacted by AFP news agency. In the meantime, health officials are investigating the supply chain of meat used in the zoo animals’ diets, particularly focusing on the sources of chicken that may have been infected with the virus. Ensuring proper food safety measures are followed is crucial to preventing further outbreaks among both animals and humans.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu has primarily affected birds, but it poses a significant threat to other animals and humans in certain circumstances. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that while human cases of H5N1 infection are rare, they can be severe and often fatal. The virus typically spreads from direct contact with infected live or dead birds or through environments contaminated by the virus.
Since 2022, there have been increasing reports of bird flu outbreaks spreading beyond birds and infecting mammals. Cases have been recorded among species such as minks, seals, and now, in this recent instance, big cats. This is of particular concern because the virus could potentially mutate, making it easier for it to spread among mammals, including humans.
The WHO’s advice remains clear: people living in regions affected by bird flu outbreaks should avoid consuming raw or undercooked meat and eggs. Cooking poultry and eggs thoroughly is essential to reduce the risk of transmission. In regions with active outbreaks, people should avoid direct contact with birds and practice good hygiene when handling animals or their products.
Although bird flu primarily affects birds, there have been nearly 900 confirmed cases of human H5N1 infections since 2003, more than half of which have resulted in death. These numbers illustrate the virus’s lethality when it does cross over into humans, though such cases remain rare and often involve individuals with close contact with infected birds, such as poultry farmers or workers in live bird markets.
The global community remains on high alert regarding the potential for bird flu strains like H5N1 to mutate into forms that can spread more easily among humans. Such mutations could spark a pandemic, similar to the outbreaks of H1N1 influenza in the past. As a result, countries with active bird flu cases are required to monitor and report outbreaks quickly, following international health regulations to control the virus’s spread.
Vietnam has faced numerous outbreaks of avian influenza over the years, primarily affecting its large poultry industry. However, this recent outbreak in southern zoos highlights a new dimension of the crisis: the threat to endangered wildlife in captivity. Vietnam has made efforts to vaccinate poultry flocks and impose movement restrictions on birds in affected areas, but this incident exposes the challenges of controlling the virus in less-regulated environments, such as zoos and safari parks.
The Vietnamese government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the deaths at Vuon Xoai and My Quynh, but it is likely that heightened measures will be taken to prevent the spread of the virus within and beyond the affected regions. In the meantime, public health authorities are urging the population to remain vigilant, especially those who work closely with animals or poultry.
The loss of 47 tigers is a significant blow to conservation efforts, not only in Vietnam but globally. Tigers are an endangered species, with fewer than 4,000 remaining in the wild worldwide. Zoos play a critical role in conservation breeding programs, and the deaths of these tigers represent a major setback.
Conservationists are also concerned about the potential impact of avian influenza on wild populations of tigers and other predators. While the virus is primarily spread through direct contact with infected birds or contaminated environments, the possibility of it spilling over into wild animals through food chains is a serious threat.
The bird flu outbreak in southern Vietnam has shed light on the broader risks associated with zoonotic diseases—those that can jump from animals to humans. As the world continues to grapple with outbreaks of viruses like H5N1, it is clear that strengthening biosecurity measures, ensuring safe food handling, and improving disease surveillance are critical to protecting both human and animal populations.
