Mechelen (Brussels Morning) – The elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is a significant threat to young elephants causing acute hemorrhagic disease. It is omnipresent in captive and wild populations with nearly 20% of zoo-born Asian elephants succumbing to the disease.Â
The herpes virus is really dangerous for elephants even in zoos and the wild. About one in five elephants born in zoos in Europe, the US and Asia die from this virus. Most zoo elephants have it and it’s causing more deaths in the wild too. In Planckendael, a young elephant named Qiyo got sick and passed away suddenly on May 28, 2018 because of this virus.Â
 EEHV and the Quest for a Vaccine
Elephants between two and nine years old are most at risk of getting sick from the herpes virus. Once they catch it they can’t get rid of it. The first signs of illness like blisters on the tongue or acting tired.
After Qiyo’s passing Planckendael raised money for a study with Utrecht University to understand the virus better. They donated nearly 80,000 euros and it paid off. Now they know that young elephants get antibodies from their moms at birth protecting them until around two years old. By nine the danger decreases and even though the virus stays in their bodies they become immune to it.
Jonas Spruyt said
“Once they are infected with the virus, they can never get rid of it”
Antwerp Zoo and Planckendael send blood samples from their elephants to Utrecht University for research. They check the samples to see if the elephants have antibodies in their blood. The first blood sample from Qiyo helped develop herpes tests. It was the first sample without antibodies, showing why Qiyo got sick.
Protecting Young Elephants from the Deadly EEHV Virus: Mechelen’s Race for a Vaccine
Researchers found that elephants with enough antibodies in their blood are safe from the virus except for young ones. They need regular blood tests to watch over the youngest elephants. Tun Kai and Suki the two youngest elephants at Planckendael Zoo had recent tests showing they have enough antibodies and are not at risk right now.
Regular checks help vets and keepers feel better but a vaccine is what young elephants really need to stay safe from the virus. The scientists have made progress in developing a vaccine after four years of hard work. Now they’re waiting for permission to test it on adult elephants. If it’s safe for adults then they can use it to protect the young elephants. But this whole process could take a few years.Creating a vaccine not only takes time but also costs a lot of money. They need 100,000 euros each year to keep the research going. Even though many people love elephants gathering enough money for the project.
