Officials race to contain outbreak after 72 captive tigers die in Thailand

A highly contagious virus is believed to have caused the deaths of 72 captive tigers in northern Thailand this month. Teams are urgently disinfecting enclosures and preparing to vaccinate surviving animals, but the exact cause of death remains unclear. The government’s region 5 livestock office for Chiang Mai said the animals had been infected with canine distemper virus, and veterinarians identified mycoplasma bacteria as a secondary infection.

Earlier, Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, director general of the department of livestock development, told Matichon that the tigers had been infected with feline panleukopenia. He warned: "Treating sick tigers is very different from treating dogs and cats. Dogs and cats live closely with us, so when they show symptoms, we can respond and provide treatment right away.

Tigers, however, aren’t living closely with humans.

Thailand, Chiang Mai

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