State media reports that bird flu is killing 47 tigers, three lions and a panther in Vietnamese zoos

According to state media, 47 tigers, three lions and a panther have died of bird flu in zoos in southern Vietnam.

According to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), the mammals died at the My Quynh private safari park in Long An province and the Vuon Xoai zoo in Dong Nai, near Ho Chi Minh City.

According to test results from the National Center for Animal Health Diagnosis, the animals died “as a result of the H5N1 type A virus,” VNA said.

The report noted that no zoo staff were in close contact with the animals that contracted the disease.

FIRST CASE OF HUMAN BIRD FLU DIAGNOSED WITHOUT CONTACT WITH INFECTED ANIMALS, CDC SAYS

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have said there has been an increase in outbreaks of influenza viruses, including avian influenza A (H5), in mammals.

In the United States, a patient in Missouri was diagnosed with bird flu in September.

The patient, who had underlying diseases, was treated successfully antiviral drugs According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), he was hospitalized and has since been released.

A cow is shown by an exhibitor at the state fair in West Allis, Wisconsin, USA, August 9, 2024. Dairy farmers are taking precautions and testing for bird flu while exhibiting cattle during the fair. (Reuters/Jim Vindruska)

This is the 14th person (in three states) to contract bird flu in the U.S. this year — and the first infection to occur without reported contact with sick or infected animals, the CDC alert says.

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The previous 13 cases occurred after contact with dairy cows or poultry.

Fox News’ Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.