7 leopard cubs die at Bannerghatta Biological Park due to contagious virus

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Seven leopard cubs have died at Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru, India, after being infected by a highly contagious virus, officials said on Tuesday.

The virus, known as feline panleukopenia (FP), is a viral disease of cats that is caused by the feline parvovirus. Kittens are most severely affected by the virus.

According to officials, the first outbreak of FP at Bannerghatta Biological Park was reported on August 22. The seven cubs that died were aged between three and eight months.

All of the cubs had been vaccinated against FP, but they still succumbed to the virus during the course of treatment. Post that within the first week of September, a total of 7 cubs were reported dead owing to the virus outbreak.

Joseph Hoover, a former member of the wildlife board informed News Trail that four of these cubs were found in places such as Ramnagara, Mandaya, Kanakapura and so on and were under rehabilitation while three were already at the biological park.

Executive Director of Bannerghatta Biological Park, A V Surya Sen, said that the cubs were likely infected with FP before they were vaccinated. He also said that the park has taken all necessary measures to contain the outbreak and prevent further deaths.

Joseph Hoover hypothesizes that distemper or feline panleukopenia, a highly contagious disease among dogs, infected the rescued cubs after they ate dogs.

He said, "Distemper is a very serious and contagious disease, more so than rabies, and preventing its spread is now a major challenge." He also added that the veterinary officials are now taking all measures to contain the virus and analyse the virus.

The Executive Director then added, "It is now under control and in the last 15 days, no deaths have been reported. We have completely broken the chain and taken all necessary measures. We followed all the required procedures and also held discussions with all our senior veterinarians. All correct course of action was taken. Also, we have ensured hygiene of the entire zoo and the rescue centre was completely sanitised.”