A female lion at the Huancayo Zoo in Peru died earlier this year as a result of being infected with an H5N1 variant of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
According to an August 17 report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), SERFOR, the technical agency for forests and wildlife in the Sierra Central region, the deaths of wild birds with respiratory disorders at the zoo had been reported in January, and while surveillance at the zoo was being conducted, a lioness was found dead.
A necropsy was performed and samples from the lioness were taken and sent to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, where they were tested in a private laboratory (CERPER). The result was positive for H5N1. Other carnivorous mammals in other cages were not affected, according to the WOAH report.
This is the only land mammal in Peru to be affected by HPAI this year, although two sea lions in the country were also affected.
According to other reports from the WOAH, 241,385 head of poultry in Peru have been lost to HPAI, as well as 854 wild birds.
Among the poultry premises affected by HPAI are three laying hen farms, two fattening turkey farms, two duck farms, one breeding hen farm, one poultry sales center, one backyard flock and four premises where fighting chickens were being raised.
The first case of HPAI in Peru was reported in November 2022.
