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Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in creating a novel immunization to prevent a fatal virus that targets young elephants.

The vaccine, developed by an international research team, aims to stop the serious disease caused by elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), which is currently a leading cause of death in juvenile Asian elephants.

In tests that included mature elephants at the facility, the vaccine was found to be safe and, importantly, to activate part of the body's defenses that assists in fighting viruses.

A lead scientist described this as "a landmark moment in our efforts to protect Asian elephants".

It is anticipated that the outcome of this pioneering study will pave the way to preventing the deaths of young elephants from the dangerous disease caused by this virus.

Severe Consequences

EEHV has had a especially destructive effect in captive environments. At Chester Zoo by itself, seven young elephants have succumbed to it over the past ten years. It has also been found in natural populations and in certain sanctuaries and care centers.

It causes a haemorrhagic disease - unchecked bleeding that can be deadly within a day. It results in death in over eighty percent of cases in young elephants.

Understanding the Threat

Why EEHV can be so lethal is remains unclear. Many mature elephants host the virus - seemingly with no negative impact on their well-being. But it is believed that young calves are especially vulnerable when they are being transitioned from milk, and when the immune-boosting antibodies from the maternal nutrition decline.

At this stage, a young elephant's immune system is in a delicate balance and it can become overpowered. "It may lead to extremely serious illness," Dr Katie Edwards explained.

"It impacts elephants in nature, but we don't have an precise count of how many deaths in total it has caused. For elephants in human care however, there have been more than 100 deaths."

Immunization Creation

The scientific group, headed by veterinary scientists, created the novel vaccine using a proven "framework". Basically, the core design of this vaccine is identical to one commonly employed to vaccinate elephants against a virus called a related virus.

The researchers incorporated this vaccine structure with components from EEHV - non-infectious parts of the virus that the elephant's defense system might recognise and react against.

In a world-first trial, the team tested the novel vaccine in several fit, mature elephants at the zoo, then analysed blood tests from the innoculated animals.

Prof Steinbach stated that the results, released in a research publication, were "better than we had hoped for".

"The results demonstrated, clearly that the vaccine was able to activate the production of immune cells, that are crucial to fighting virus attacks."

Future Steps

The subsequent phase for the scientists is to try the vaccine in more juvenile elephants, which are the creatures most vulnerable to serious illness.

The current vaccination involves four shots to be given, so another aim is to work out if the equivalent protective amount can be provided in a simpler way - perhaps with less jabs.

The conservation scientist explained: "Ultimately we aim to employ this vaccine in the elephants that are at risk, so we need to make sure that we can get it to where it's necessary."

The project lead continued: "We believe this is a significant advancement, and not just solely for the elephants, but because it also shows that you can design and use vaccines to assist endangered species."