Tula-Tu fights off EEHV infection as doctors express cautious optimism

Key Points:

• The Oregon Zoo has initiated an intensive treatment plan for Tula-Tu, an Asian elephant calf diagnosed with elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), following early detection of symptoms and elevated viral load confirmed by laboratory testing.
• Veterinary staff have administered plasma transfusions and antiviral medications, with Tula-Tu showing signs of stability, including stable viral loads and improving white blood cell counts, though her condition remains serious.
• Earlier this year, Tula-Tu received an mRNA vaccine targeting EEHV-1A, but her current infection is caused by the related EEHV-1B strain, and the vaccine's effectiveness against this variant is still uncertain.
• EEHV is a latent virus common in Asian elephants, posing significant risks to young calves aged 1 to 8 as maternal antibodies wane, with rapid progression of the disease often leading to fatal outcomes.
• The Oregon Zoo continues to contribute to global EEHV research and diagnostics, collaborating with institutions like Oregon State University and Baylor College of Medicine, and supporting international efforts such as establishing hematology labs in Southeast Asia to monitor and combat the virus in wild and captive elephant populations.