Dozens of tigers have died from bird flu (H5N1) infection at two zoos in Vietnam, state media have reported. At least 47 tigers have died in the country since August. Three lions and a panther have also died.

The bird flu outbreak occurred at the Vuon Xoai Zoo near Ho Chi Minh City and the Mai Quynh Safari Park in Long An province. Sources said the animals probably fell ill after eating chicken infected with bird flu.

An official told the Reuters news agency that two samples from dead tigers tested positive for bird flu. Work is under way to trace the source of the infected chicken.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised people in areas with bird flu outbreaks to avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and eggs.

The H5N1 virus mainly infects animals, but people who come into contact with infected birds or their contaminated surroundings can also be infected.

Deaths from H5N1 among mammals have been rising since 2022. Since 2003, the virus has been detected in about 900 people, more than half of whom have died.

The situation at the Vietnamese zoos again highlights the dangerous effects of the H5N1 virus, which can pass from animals and birds to people.

Information from the BBC.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.