Guangxi Zoo Reports 2 Tiger Deaths Due To H5N1

Credit Wikipedia

 

# 9718

 

That cats – including tigers – can be infected by the H5N1 virus is hardly news (see A Dog & Cat Flu Review), but it has been quite some time since we’ve heard of a large H5N1 outbreak among big cats at a zoo.  

 

Those with long memories will recall the events of 2003-2004 where Thailand lost more than 140 of these magnificent creatures due to the virus (see WHO 2006 update H5N1 avian influenza in domestic cats), attributed to feeding the animals infected poultry.

 

We’ve a remarkably similar report – along with an FAO-EMPRES Notification – of 8 tigers at a Guangxi zoo reportedly infected with H5N1,  with two deaths.  

China: Guangxi Nanning Zoo tiger died of the H5N1 bird flu virus detected

Posted: at 9:42 on February 15, 2015   Source: China Ministry of Agriculture

Recently, Nanning zoo tiger has been found in the incidence of death. As of February 5, the incidence of the tiger eight, died two. February 4, Guangxi animal disease prevention and control center for the diagnosis of suspected avian influenza infection, and sampling inspection. February 12, the National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 from diseased samples tiger deaths in censorship.

Currently, local veterinary departments have jointly in accordance with the relevant competent departments of forestry contingency plans and technical specifications prevention, emergency response work earnestly strengthen disinfection destroy the source and monitoring the investigation; local poultry found no abnormalities.

 

This from the FAO.