Why is it in the News?

The study by ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR-IVRI), Izatnagar, Bareilly has found the exact status of EEHV and its subtypes circulating among the Asian elephant population in India.

What is Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV)?

• Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is responsible for one of the most devastating viral infectious diseases in elephants worldwide, especially young Asian elephants.
• EEHV is a double-stranded DNA virus that is classified in the family Herpesviridae.
• The mortality rate is very high (70-85%) and death occurs within a short period (2-4 days).
• In India, the incidence of EEHV-HD was first reported in 1997.
• 9 of 15 potential cases were confirmed from Southern India in wild free-ranging calves in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu forest reserves, and Madras Zoo.
• Transmission of the disease: EEHV is mostly spread through mucosal secretions which include:
• Saliva, Breast milk, Nasal secretions, Trunk to trunk contacts etc
• The disease can only affect elephants and is not infectious to humans or other animals.
• Symptoms: Some elephants show symptoms such as reduced appetite, nasal discharge and swollen glands.
• Treatment: Treatment involves a combination of strategies such as antiviral therapy, aggressive fluid therapy to counter haemorrhaging, immuno-stimulant drugs like selenium and Vitamins C and E, as well as antipyretics and analgesics to manage fever.
• It's important to note that there is no definitive cure for herpesviruses in animals or humans since these viruses typically enter a latent state.