Dozens of tigers, lions and leopards died in zoos in Dong Nai and Long An.

In recent days, many tigers kept at the Mango Garden Tourist Area in Bien Hoa City (Dong Nai) have shown signs of fatigue, weakness and then died. According to a representative of this tourist area, since September, 17 tigers (from a few weeks old and up) and one leopard have died.

The resort has taken samples for testing and disinfected the cage area, and separated the tiger area for monitoring to prevent the spread of the disease. The Veterinary Department of Region VI conducted clinical examinations and random autopsies on the two dead tigers. Initially, this unit diagnosed that the two Bengal tigers died of suspected pneumonia.

Mr. Ngo Van Vinh, Head of Dong Nai Forest Protection Department, said that the tigers kept at Vuon Xoai Tourist Area have a license. Today, October 2, veterinary forces went down to work, inspected the tourist area, and have a plan to destroy the dead animals.

Meanwhile, according to the Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Medicine and Aquaculture of Long An, from August to September 16, My Quynh Zoo in Duc Hoa District had 27 tigers and 3 lions die (of which 3 were purchased from Vuon Xoai Tourist Area, without animal quarantine certificates when transferred out of Dong Nai). Initially, the authorities suspected food poisoning, but later tests of the dead tigers and lions showed positive results for the H5N1 virus.

According to the report of these two tourist areas to the Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City, at Vuon Xoai there were 30 employees in contact with tigers, My Quynh had 3 people. Currently, this unit has not recorded any close contacts with symptoms of respiratory infection.

Mango Garden tourist area currently raises nearly 90 species with more than 3,000 rare wild animals, including extremely rare species such as: Bengal tiger, white lion, brown bear, black panther, flamingo, South American parrot, rhinoceros, red panda... Some species have given birth such as: Bengal tiger, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, giraffe, bear...

My Quynh Zoo is located 45 km from Ho Chi Minh City, raising many rare animals in a semi-wild form for tourists to admire and visit.

Influenza A/H5N1 is an infectious disease transmitted from poultry such as chickens, ducks, birds and wild animals to humans. This is a highly pathogenic strain of influenza, patients often have severe progression, high mortality rate. There is currently no specific treatment for this disease nor is there a vaccine to prevent it. Currently there is no evidence that influenza A/H5N1 is transmitted from person to person.

Since late 2023, many outbreaks of avian influenza have been recorded in animals in all regions, mainly caused by the A/H5N1 influenza virus strain. Since late 2023, Cambodia has recorded cases of A/H5N1 influenza in humans.

Domestically, the Department of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that avian influenza is still being recorded sporadically in poultry flocks in many localities.