health
February 20, 2026
Officials race to contain virus outbreak after 72 captive tigers die in Thailand
Dozens of the animals in Chiang Mai region first began to show signs of illness earlier this month
TL;DR
- 72 captive tigers have died in northern Thailand this month due to a highly contagious virus.
- Officials suspect canine distemper virus, possibly with a secondary mycoplasma bacteria infection.
- Teams are disinfecting enclosures and planning vaccinations for surviving tigers.
- The outbreak has affected two districts in Chiang Mai: Mae Rim and Mae Taeng.
- Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai, a popular tourist attraction, has been temporarily closed.
- Past tiger deaths in Thailand and Vietnam have been linked to bird flu.
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