Thai officials say 72 tigers at tourist parks died of canine distemper, allaying bird flu fears

The deaths of 72 tigers at two tourist-oriented animal parks in northern Thailand were caused by canine distemper virus (CDV) rather than bird flu, Thai officials announced Tuesday, seeking to alleviate public concerns about potential human health risks.

“There has not been an animal-to-human infection case,” Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat stated during a press conference at Bangkok’s Government House, emphasizing that the situation poses minimal threat to the public.

The tigers fell ill and died over a roughly 10-day period between February 8-18 at parks located in the Mae Taeng and Mae Rim districts of Chiang Mai province. Autopsies conducted by regional livestock officials confirmed the presence of genetic material from canine distemper virus along with traces of bacterial infection. Importantly, tests showed no evidence of avian influenza type A virus, commonly known as bird flu.

As a precautionary measure, health authorities are monitoring individuals who recently had contact with the infected animals. “If we detect any sick persons, we will prepare for a nationwide monitoring measure,” explained Monthien Khanasawat, director-general of the Public Health Ministry’s Disease Control Department. “This will include contact tracing and treatment as necessary.”

The press conference appeared aimed at preventing public panic amid resurgent bird flu cases in parts of Asia. Thailand experienced a significant outbreak between 2004 and 2007 when 25 people were infected through contact with poultry, resulting in 17 deaths, according to Public Health Ministry data.

Canine distemper virus primarily affects dogs but can also infect felines, including tigers, with more severe symptoms. The virus spreads through bodily fluids and airborne transmission. Officials noted that captive tigers living in confined environments are particularly vulnerable to CDV infections due to stress factors and potential inbreeding issues that may compromise their immune systems.

Proper disposal protocols were followed for the deceased tigers, according to Somchuan Rattanamangklanan, Director-General of the Livestock Development Department. The remains underwent thorough examination before being cremated and buried, with carcasses properly disinfected and documented to prevent any further use.

However, Visit Arsaithamkul, a veterinarian who participated in the tiger necropsies, raised concerns about the source of the outbreak. In a Facebook post, he suggested that since both parks were located only about 30 kilometers (18 miles) apart, the tigers might have been infected through contaminated food from a common supplier. When contacted by The Associated Press, Arsaithamkul declined to provide further details.

Both facilities, operating under the “Tiger Kingdom” brand, remain closed pending investigation. The park operators did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Despite the determination that bird flu was not involved in the tiger deaths, Thai authorities remain vigilant about potential avian influenza outbreaks. Monthien urged Thai citizens to exercise caution when consuming poultry, noting that a man in a neighboring country (which he did not name) had recently contracted bird flu.

The first documented case of bird flu transmission from animals to humans occurred in Hong Kong in 1997, preceding a wider pandemic that spread across Asia starting in 2003. Thailand’s response to that crisis included the culling of tens of millions of poultry, while public fear led to a significant decline in poultry consumption throughout the region.

The Tiger Kingdom parks in Chiang Mai are popular tourist attractions where visitors can interact with tigers in controlled environments. The sudden loss of 72 tigers represents not only a significant animal welfare concern but could also impact the region’s tourism industry, which is still recovering from pandemic-related downturns.