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Researchers have made a breakthrough in creating a novel immunization to combat a fatal virus that affects young elephants.

The vaccine, produced by an global scientific group, aims to prevent the severe illness caused by EEHV, which is presently a primary cause of death in young Asian elephants.

In trials that involved adult elephants at Chester Zoo, the vaccine was found to be safe and, importantly, to stimulate part of the body's defenses that assists in combating viruses.

A lead scientist called this as "a landmark moment in our work to safeguard Asian elephants".

It is hoped that the result of this first-of-its-kind study will open the door to averting the fatalities of juvenile elephants from the harmful disease caused by this virus.

Devastating Impact

EEHV has had a especially devastating effect in captive environments. At Chester Zoo alone, seven baby elephants have succumbed to it over the past ten years. It has additionally been detected in natural populations and in certain refuges and care centers.

It causes a bleeding disorder - uncontrolled hemorrhaging that can be deadly within a day. It leads to death in more than 80% of instances in juvenile elephants.

Understanding the Threat

Why EEHV can be so dangerous is remains unknown. Many adult elephants carry the virus - seemingly with no adverse effects on their health. But it is believed that juvenile calves are especially vulnerable when they are being weaned, and when the immune-boosting defenses from the mother's milk decrease.

At this stage, a young elephant's natural defenses is in a delicate balance and it can become overpowered. "It may lead to really severe illness," Dr Katie Edwards explained.

"It impacts wild elephants, but we don't have an exact number of how many fatalities in overall it has caused. For elephants in captivity however, there have been over a hundred deaths."

Vaccine Development

The research team, led by veterinary scientists, developed the novel vaccine using a tried and tested "framework". Essentially, the core design of this vaccine is the same to one commonly employed to vaccinate elephants against a virus called a related virus.

The scientists incorporated this immunization framework with proteins from EEHV - harmless parts of the virus that the elephant's immune system might identify and respond to.

In a world-first trial, the team tested the new vaccine in several fit, mature elephants at Chester Zoo, then examined blood samples from the vaccinated animals.

Prof Steinbach stated that the findings, released in a scientific journal, were "more successful than anticipated".

"The results demonstrated, clearly that the vaccine was able to stimulate the generation of T cells, that are vital to combating viral infections."

Next Phases

The next step for the scientists is to test the vaccine in younger elephants, which are the animals most vulnerable to serious illness.

The present immunization involves multiple injections to be given, so another aim is to determine if the same protective dose can be provided in a simpler way - perhaps with fewer injections.

The conservation scientist clarified: "Ultimately we want to employ this vaccine in the elephants that are in danger, so we want to ensure that we can get it to where it's needed."

Prof Steinbach added: "We believe this is a significant advancement, and not just solely for the elephants, but because it also demonstrates that you can design and apply vaccines to help threatened animals."