More than 40 tigers died in Dong Nai and Long An: Looking for the cause

On October 2, a representative of the Mango Garden tourist area (Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai) said that in the past month, the tourist area recorded about 20 Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris) from a few weeks old to adults, and a black panther (Panthera pardus) died. Therefore, the unit has taken measures to disinfect the barn area and isolate it to prevent the spread. At the same time, synthesize information and report to functional agencies.

The staff of Bien Hoa City Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station performed clinical examinations and random necropsies on two dead tiger individuals. The initial diagnosis is that two Bengal tiger individuals died due to pneumonia.

The Dong Nai Department of Health said that the Department is coordinating with relevant units to clarify the cause of the death of many tiger individuals raised in the Mango Garden tourist area (Phuoc Tan ward, Bien Hoa city). When the first tigers died, the Mango Garden tourist area was instructed to take samples for testing and separate tiger farming areas to monitor and avoid the spread. After that, Dong Nai province's functional forces coordinated with the Regional Animal Health Office No. 6 to conduct clinical examinations and take two samples for testing.

Information from the Regional Animal Health Office No. 6 shows that the cause of the tiger's death was a positive test result for influenza A/H5N1 virus at My Quynh Zoo (Long An) and Mango Garden tourist area.

Specifically, from August to September 16, at My Quynh Zoo, 27 tigers and 3 lions died, including 3 tigers newly imported to the above tourist area. The remaining individuals originated at the zoo; however, test results showed that the sample of tigers at the zoo was positive for influenza A/H5N1. At the Mango Garden tourist area, Bien Hoa City's functional forces also clinically examined two dead tiger individuals, initially diagnosing pneumonia.

The Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City received information shared from the Regional Animal Health Office No. 6 about the recording of dead tigers testing positive for influenza A/H5N1 virus at My Quynh Zoo (Tan My commune, Duc Hoa, Long An) and tiger deaths of unknown cause at Mango Garden tourist area (Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province). And the Institute has just sent a report to the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) on recording wildlife infected with influenza A/H5N1.

In Long An province, it was determined that three employees of My Quynh Zoo had direct contact with tigers. In Dong Nai province, preliminary information shows that about 30 people were exposed to tigers.

The health sector is coordinating with the veterinary and forest protection sectors to implement solutions to limit the risk of infection to humans. Investigate and identify people with close contacts to monitor health, including staff directly caring for animals and related people. Disseminate on influenza epidemic prevention and control in at-risk areas. In addition, establish a monitoring team and report to competent authorities on the risk of influenza A/H5N1 epidemic in the area.

The Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City is continuing to direct and support the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Long An and Dong Nai provinces to control and limit the risk of H5N1 virus infecting humans. At the same time, the Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention is clarifying related content.