25 February 2015
Two tamed Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris), died due to H5N1 avian influenza, in Nanning City zoo in Guangxzi Province, China.
Several published studies have demonstrated H5N1 infection in large cats kept in captivity. In December 2003, two tigers and two leopards, fed on fresh chicken carcasses, died unexpectedly at a zoo in Thailand. Subsequent investigation identified H5N1 in tissue samples.
In February 2004, the virus was detected in a clouded leopard that died at a zoo near Bangkok. A white tiger died from infection with the virus at the same zoo in March 2004.
In October 2004, captive tigers fed on fresh chicken carcasses began dying in large numbers at a zoo in Thailand. Altogether 147 tigers out of 441 died of infection or were euthanized. Subsequent investigation determined that at least some tiger-to-tiger transmission of the virus occurred.
In early 2013, a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) in a zoo in Jiangsu died of respiratory distress. All specimens from the tiger were positive for HPAI H5N1 (Microbes and Infection (17) 2015:54-61).
See also: The first case of influenza infection in tigers - China 2002