Officials Begin To Investigate Virus That Killed 72 Tigers In Thailand

A popular tourist destination in Thailand has gotten a lot of publicity lately, but not for the best of reasons. Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai is a popular destination because you can interact with and touch the tigers. However, after 72 tigers died in the span of less than two weeks this past month, people became concerned. Now, officials are beginning to look into the virus that killed these tigers.

Officials Begin To Investigate Virus That Killed Tigers In Thailand

Once the tigers passed, their bodies were taken in for samples. The BBC shared that “the local livestock department said samples from the tigers showed canine distemper virus.” Although the cause of death was confirmed, officials were unaware of how the outbreak began and spread.

While they lack specifics of this specific outbreaks they do understand that canine distemper virus is a highly contagious disease. The outlet shared that the virus “attacks the host’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous symptoms.” Most people have heard of the virus in regard to dogs, but it can also infect big cats.

Naturally, with the ease of its spread, people were concerned for those who interacted with the animals. Luckily, no humans have been infected by the virus that killed the 72 tigers. In addition to the canine distemper virus, the provincial livestock office in Chiang Mai confirmed that the tigers tested positive for something else as well.

The carcasses of the tigers in the Thailand tourist spot also “tested positive for a bacteria associated with respiratory disease.”

Moving Forward

Officials acknowledged the severity of this outbreak. Also, they admitted that it was difficult to catch at first. When speaking with local media, Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, director of the national livestock department, shared, “By the time we realised they were sick, it was already too late.”

Those tigers who were killed by the virus have been properly buried. Additionally, experts have suggested that any living tigers that are suffering from the disease be euthanized. As of now, it appears that the virus is no longer spreading. Nevertheless, officials are continuing to pursue the investigation. BBC shared that officials have “collected samples from the tigers’ bodies, the chicken they eat, and their surroundings.”

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