The Ministries of Agriculture and Public Health announced that the cause of death of 72 Chiang Mai tigers, confirmed by laboratory testing, was not avian influenza but canine distemper. The carcasses were disposed of by burial, and officials emphasized the disease does not transmit to humans. Tags: [tiger deaths, canine distemper, Chiang Mai, disease outbreak, public health]
On 24 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Amin Mayuso, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, along with Patthana Prompat, Minister of Public Health; veterinarian Somchuan Rattanmangklanon, Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development; and Dr. Monthian Kanasawat, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, held a press conference regarding the deaths of 72 tigers at tiger enclosures in Mae Rim and Mae Taeng districts, Chiang Mai. Laboratory results confirmed no avian influenza virus was detected in either the tiger or chicken carcasses, contradicting social media speculation. They urged the public to trust the test results.Tags: [press conference, laboratory results, avian influenza, Chiang Mai, tiger deaths]
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, through the Department of Livestock Development, coordinated with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the Ministry of Public Health, and local administrative authorities to immediately investigate after the report. The Department of Livestock Development Region 5 in Chiang Mai conducted inspections and provided preliminary emergency measures. Several tigers showed abnormal respiratory symptoms and weak breathing during examinations. RT-PCR tests found no avian influenza virus genetic material. However, within 3 to 4 days, laboratory tests detected Mycoplasma species and larvae of the Canine Distemper virus in the organs of deceased tigers. No transmission from animals to humans has been observed.Tags: [investigation, coordination, RT-PCR testing, Mycoplasma, canine distemper, animal health]
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives explained that canine distemper can spread between dogs and tigers and can be prevented with vaccination. Tigers kept in captivity with poor health care and stress are more vulnerable to infection and disease progression. In wildlife, symptoms often appear only when the disease is advanced, making timely treatment difficult and resulting in death. The deceased tiger carcasses were disposed of by standard burial methods to prevent spread to other areas. Currently, there is no ongoing outbreak, and no additional tiger deaths have been reported.Tags: [canine distemper, vaccination, captive tigers, disease prevention, carcass disposal]
"The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is taking this incident seriously. Although avian influenza was not detected, officials from the Department of Livestock Development have been assigned to closely monitor the situation. Additionally, symptomatic and asymptomatic tigers are being clearly separated. For tigers with severe symptoms that cannot be treated successfully, decisive measures will be taken," said Amin Mayuso.Tags: [disease monitoring, animal health management, preventive measures, Ministry of Agriculture]