Baby elephant at National Zoo helps lead fight against deadly disease

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is the leading cause of death in young Asian elephants. At the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., a baby elephant named Linh Mai is at the center of an effort to combat this deadly disease. EEHV is a latent virus that all Asian elephants will contract in their lifetime, and 60 percent of baby elephants that develop the disease will die from it. The disease is spread through trunk-to-trunk contact and can progress rapidly from subtle symptoms to death within a day.

This year, the zoo's animal care and veterinary teams are testing a new approach to manage EEHV by exposing Linh Mai to the virus while she still has strong antibodies from her mother. Veterinarian James Steeel explains that exposing the calf at a time when she is most capable of fighting the infection increases her chances of survival and helps her develop lifelong immunity.

The process involves squirts saline up the elephant's trunk, collecting mucus-filled fluid in a sample bag, and sending it to the zoo's EEHV lab for testing. Linh Mai is then exposed to positive EEHV samples via syringe to build her immunity.

Born in February, Linh Mai's mother initially behaved aggressively towards her, making the calf's upbringing challenging. However, the zoo's staff worked tirelessly to provide her with a special formula and companions, ensuring her growth and well-being. Steeel emphasizes his hope for Linh Mai to grow up as an integral member of an elephant herd and contribute to the overall elephant population. For the PBS News Hour, this story highlights the zoo's dedication to preserving the species and advancing knowledge about EEHV.