Dozens of tigers have died in zoos in south Vietnam after a hen flu outbreak, in line with state media.
Three lions and a panther had been additionally reported to have died of the virus alongside 47 tigers since August.
The H5N1 outbreak hit the Vuon Xoai zoo close to Ho Chi Minh Metropolis and the My Quynh safari park in neighbouring Lengthy An province.
An official advised Reuters information company that the animals had possible fallen unwell after being fed meat from chickens which had been contaminated.
The Vietnamese ministry of well being mentioned two samples taken from lifeless tigers examined optimistic for hen flu, and officers are “monitoring the supply of the rooster to find out the trigger”.
The zoos declined to remark when contacted by AFP information company.
Recommendation on the World Well being Group (WHO) web site warns towards consuming uncooked or undercooked meat and eggs from areas experiencing hen flu outbreaks as a result of excessive danger of an infection.
The H5N1 pressure of the virus primarily infects animals, and the WHO says virtually all circumstances of human an infection come up from shut contact with contaminated dwell or lifeless birds, or contaminated environments.
Since 2022, there have been growing studies of lethal outbreaks amongst mammals attributable to influenza viruses, together with H5N1.
Near 900 human infections have been reported since 2003, of which greater than half had been deadly.