Over the outbreak of Giant Panda Disease in north China's Shaanxi province, one of the three giant pandas diagnosed with distemper is now in deep coma, after another fatally succumbed to the disease on December 9. The Shaanxi Rare Wild Animal Rescue and Research Center has been closed to prevent the disease from further spreading, and emergency services are currently treating the pandas.

Da Bao and Feng Feng at the Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue and Rearing Research Center are in critical condition with Da Bao, in particular, struggling. It has been in a deep coma for two days. These two, and Zhu Zhu, were diagnosed with canine distemper within four days of each other in late December, while a fourth died of the disease on December 9th.

At the Center, efforts are being made to prevent the further spread of the disease.

"We consulted experts and applied white lime to the main roads in the Center to disinfect the feet of the staff. The white lime will be reapplied after one week," Han Xueli, director of Rare Wild Animal Rescue And Research Center, said.

Anyone entering the core zone of panda treatment is requested to wear a protection custume. It is strictly quarantined to halt the spread of the disease.

"Everyday we put medicine on this table, and then call people inside to get it themselves. We are not supposed to touch anything inside the zone," Han said.

Some good news, however. Zhu Zhu, who was also infected with distemper, is now in good condition. Its appetite and spirit for life have all returned to normal.

"Each day Zhu Zhu is eating 30 kilograms of bamboo, which is roughly the same as before," A breeder said.

Distemper is a dangerous virus that mainly infects canines and felines. It is highly contagious, and its mortality rate can be up to 80 percent.