Elephant death due to Herpes virus in Kerala

Context

Within a week time, second elephant died after getting infected by the Herpes virus in Kerala.

About the Herpes Virus in Elephant

• Elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses (EEHV) or Elephantid betaherpesvirus 1 (ElHV-1) is a type of herpes virus.
• It can cause a highly fatal hemorrhagic disease when transmitted to young elephants.
• They are generally benign and occasionally surfaced to cause small growths or lesions.
• Some types of EEHV can cause a highly fatal disease in Asian elephants.
• The disease can be treated with the rapid application of antiviral drugs, but this has only been effective in around a third of cases.

Infectious to Elephant population

• The death of elephants due to the Herpes virus is common among elephants in the wild.
• If the immunity of elephants is low or it is genetically weak, then the chance of infection increases.
• Around 80% mortality rate is found in calves below the age of 8 years.
• The virus produces a rapid rate of death among elephants. They usually die within 48 hours.