RTR4H8FR.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
Another virus-infected giant panda died on Sunday afternoon, in Shaanxi Province, the Global Times reported.
The giant panda named Da Bao has been infected with a measle-like virus known as canine distemper. This viral disease can affect a variety of species including primates, dogs and large cats.
The virus attacks the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract of infected animals; it also attacks the nervous system, specifically the brain and the spinal cord.
Coughing, vomiting, pyrexia, inflammation of the eyes, diarrhea and lethargy are the known symptoms caused by the virus. The virus spreads through body fluids or contaminated food and water.
Meanwhile, the local authorities confirmed that the 8-year-old Da Bao is the second giant panda which was infected with the canine distemper virus. The first panda, 8-year-old Chen Cheng, died on Dec. 09, 2014.
Local authorities revealed that there are two more pandas that are ill and one of them is in a critical condition. Four other pandas were quarantined for further diagnosis due to fever, the Global Times said.
Shaanxi Wild Animal Conservation Research Centre, located in Lougouantai near Xian in Shaanxi Province, previously housed 25 giant pandas. Prior to the epidemic, healthy pandas were sent to other nature reserves in the province, website Shanghaisst.com reported.
More than 30 experts all over China are assigned to take care of the pandas, the Global Times added.
Pandas, one of the most critically endangered species in the world, are considered as "national treasure" in China. They are also listed as endangered in the World Conservation Union's Red List of Threatened Animals.
There are only about 1,000 giant pandas left in the wild.
