Scientists have made a breakthrough in developing a novel immunization to prevent a fatal virus that affects juvenile elephants.
The inoculation, developed by an international research team, aims to stop the serious disease caused by EEHV, which is currently a primary cause of death in young Asian elephants.
In tests that involved adult elephants at Chester Zoo, the vaccine was found to be harmless and, importantly, to stimulate part of the immune system that helps combating viruses.
Prof Falko Steinbach called this as "a landmark moment in our efforts to protect Asian elephants".
It is hoped that the outcome of this first-of-its-kind study will open the door to averting the deaths of juvenile elephants from the dangerous disease caused by this virus.
Severe Consequences
EEHV has had a particularly destructive impact in captive environments. At one facility alone, multiple young elephants have succumbed to it over the past ten years. It has also been found in wild elephant herds and in certain refuges and elephant orphanages.
It causes a haemorrhagic disease - uncontrolled hemorrhaging that can be fatal within 24 hours. It results in death in more than 80% of instances in juvenile elephants.
Understanding the Threat
Why EEHV can be so lethal is remains unknown. Many adult elephants carry the virus - apparently with no adverse effects on their health. But it is believed that juvenile calves are especially susceptible when they are being weaned, and when the protective antibodies from the maternal nutrition decrease.
At this phase, a calf's immune system is in a delicate balance and it can become overpowered. "It can cause extremely serious illness," a lead conservation scientist stated.
"It does affect elephants in nature, but we lack an precise count of how many fatalities in total it has resulted in. For elephants in captivity however, there have been over a hundred deaths."
Immunization Creation
The research team, headed by veterinary scientists, created the new vaccine using a tried and tested "framework". Basically, the core design of this vaccine is identical to one routinely used to vaccinate elephants against a virus called a related virus.
The scientists incorporated this vaccine structure with proteins from EEHV - harmless parts of the virus that the animal's defense system might identify and react against.
In a pioneering trial, the team evaluated the new vaccine in three healthy, mature elephants at the zoo, then examined blood samples from the innoculated animals.
The lead researcher stated that the findings, published in a research publication, were "more successful than anticipated".
"They showed, unequivocally that the vaccine was able to stimulate the generation of immune cells, that are vital to combating viral infections."
Next Phases
The subsequent phase for the scientists is to try the vaccine in more juvenile elephants, which are the creatures most at risk to severe disease.
The current vaccination requires four shots to be administered, so another aim is to work out if the equivalent protective dose can be given in a more straightforward way - perhaps with less injections.
The conservation scientist clarified: "In the end we aim to use this vaccine in the elephants that are at risk, so we want to make sure that we can deliver it to where it's necessary."
The project lead continued: "We believe this is a significant step forward, and not just solely for the elephants, but because it additionally demonstrates that you can develop and use vaccines to help endangered species."
