Health and Me

Ishita Roy

The Virus That Killed 72 Tigers In Thailand

72 tigers have died due to an illness in Thailand's Chiang Mai. This happened is the span of less than two weeks this month. Facilities of Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai, have been concerned, as this is a park where visitors can touch and interact with the big cats. 

As per a <em>BBC </em>report, the local livestock department said that samples from tigers showed <span>canine distemper virus</span>. However, authorities have not yet confirmed how the outbreak happened. The samples were collected from tigers' bodies, the chicken they eat and their surroundings.

In a news conference, officials told that the <span>virus</span> was no longer spreading and that no more tigers were dying. The officials also stated that no humans had been infected. 

The remains of the tigers have been buried and a recommendation was made for the gravely ill tigers to be euthanized, said the authorities. Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, director of the national livestock department, previously told local media, "By the time we realized they were sick, it was already too late." He noted that it was harder to detect the sickness in tigers compared to animals like common household cats or dogs.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/this-zoonotic-disease-of-himalayas-is-re-emerging-but-recognition-remains-poor-article-153710543" data-type="tilCustomLink">This Zoonotic Disease Of Himalayas Is Re-emerging But Recognition Remains Poor</a> 

Previously, the provincial livestock office had told that preliminary tests showed the tigers were infected with feline parvovirus. While some local officials also suspected that the outbreak was stemmed from contaminated raw chicken meat that was fed to tigers as per the <em>Bangkok Post</em>. 

As per the <em>Thai PBS</em> report, none of the veterinarians or other staff working in the Chiang Mai tiger enclosures had fallen ill from <span>canine distemper</span> virus. However, the <span>disease</span> control department said that they have been placed under observation for 21 days. 

<h2>Canine Distemper: The <span rel="noindex">Virus That Killed 72 Tigers In Thailand</span></h2>

As per the American Veterinary Medical Association, canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease caused by the canine distemper virus. The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous system of canines, including dogs, cats, and other wild canines, which includes foxes, wolves, tigers, big cats, raccoons, and skunks, etc. 

<h3>The signs of canine distemper includes:</h3>

<ul><li>Discharge from the eyes and nose</li><li>Fever</li><li>Coughing</li><li>Lethargy</li><li>Reduced appetite</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Diarrhea</li></ul>

<h3>There are certain neurological signs too that can be noted:</h3>

<ul><li>Walking in circles, unable to follow a straight path</li><li>Head tilt</li><li>Lack of coordination</li><li>Muscle twitches</li><li>Convulsions with jaw-chewing movements (“chewing gum fits”) and drooling</li><li>Seizures</li><li>Partial or complete paralysis</li></ul>

<h2>Is Canine Distemper Contagious to Humans?</h2>

As per <strong>PetMD</strong>, there is no evidence that humans can get canine distemper. <strong>Blue Cross UK</strong> also states that canine distemper virus is not infectious to humans and poses no known health threat to people. While it could be related to human measles virus, it does not cross over to cause illness in humans.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/the-difference-between-zoonotic-non-zoonotic-and-reverse-zoonotic-diseases-article-151134152" data-type="tilCustomLink">Is There A Difference Between Zoonotic, Non-Zoonotic And Reverse Zoonotic Diseases</a> 

<h2>How Did The Tigers In Thailand Get Canine Distemper?</h2>

Many animal right groups are blaming the poor living conditions of captives as the reason for the virus. They say that tigers used for entertainment in Thailand lived in unclean enclosures. As per the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, the tigers' deaths exposed the "extreme vulnerability of captive wildlife facilities to infectious disease". "Tragedies like this would be far less likely to happen" if tourists "stayed away" from these attractions, Peta Asia said in a statement.

Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai has been temporarily closed for two weeks to carry out the disinfection work.

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72 tigers have died due to an illness in Thailand's Chiang Mai. This happened is the span of less than two weeks this month. Facilities of Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai, have been concerned, as this is a park where visitors can touch and interact with the big cats. As per a BBC report, the local livestock department said that samples from tigers showed canine distemper virus. However, authorities have not yet confirmed how the outbreak happened. The samples were collected from tigers' bodies, the chicken they eat and their surroundings.In a news conference, officials told that the virus was no longer spreading and that no more tigers were dying. The officials also stated that no humans had been infected. The remains of the tigers have been buried and a recommendation was made for the gravely ill tigers to be euthanized, said the authorities. Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, director of the national livestock department, previously told local media, "By the time we realized they were sick, it was already too late." He noted that it was harder to detect the sickness in tigers compared to animals like common household cats or dogs.Read: This Zoonotic Disease Of Himalayas Is Re-emerging But Recognition Remains Poor Previously, the provincial livestock office had told that preliminary tests showed the tigers were infected with feline parvovirus. While some local officials also suspected that the outbreak was stemmed from contaminated raw chicken meat that was fed to tigers as per the Bangkok Post. As per the Thai PBS report, none of the veterinarians or other staff working in the Chiang Mai tiger enclosures had fallen ill from canine distemper virus. However, the disease control department said that they have been placed under observation for 21 days. Canine Distemper: The Virus That Killed 72 Tigers In ThailandAs per the American Veterinary Medical Association, canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease caused by the canine distemper virus. The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous system of canines, including dogs, cats, and other wild canines, which includes foxes, wolves, tigers, big cats, raccoons, and skunks, etc. The signs of canine distemper includes:Discharge from the eyes and noseFeverCoughingLethargyReduced appetiteVomitingDiarrheaThere are certain neurological signs too that can be noted:Walking in circles, unable to follow a straight pathHead tiltLack of coordinationMuscle twitchesConvulsions with jaw-chewing movements (“chewing gum fits”) and droolingSeizuresPartial or complete paralysisIs Canine Distemper Contagious to Humans?As per PetMD, there is no evidence that humans can get canine distemper. Blue Cross UK also states that canine distemper virus is not infectious to humans and poses no known health threat to people. While it could be related to human measles virus, it does not cross over to cause illness in humans.Read: Is There A Difference Between Zoonotic, Non-Zoonotic And Reverse Zoonotic Diseases How Did The Tigers In Thailand Get Canine Distemper?Many animal right groups are blaming the poor living conditions of captives as the reason for the virus. They say that tigers used for entertainment in Thailand lived in unclean enclosures. As per the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, the tigers' deaths exposed the "extreme vulnerability of captive wildlife facilities to infectious disease". "Tragedies like this would be far less likely to happen" if tourists "stayed away" from these attractions, Peta Asia said in a statement.Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai has been temporarily closed for two weeks to carry out the disinfection work.