Bareilly: Increased mortality of elephant calves due to haemorrhagic disease noticed in captivity as well as in free-range in India is a cause of concern. Asian elephants account for 55% of the total world elephant population. This population has been decreasing due to the increasing outbreak of the elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus subtypes (EEHV) responsible for the recent rise in haemorrhagic disease (HD) among the Asian elephant population. So, it is important to protect them from the lethal EEHV-HD.
A new study assessed the circulation of disease, as well as its pathogenesis. Scientists now say that the research on the patho-epiemiology or the study of the determinants, occurrence, and distribution of the disease can help develop sero-diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics against the disease.
Like other herpesviruses, EEHVs seem to have successfully co-evolved with their hosts and established a well-balanced adaptation. Several scientific studies in recent years have significantly advanced the knowledge on the molecular identification and characterisation of different EEHV strains but not in India except few case reports. More intensive screening is needed to establish the status of the disease in the wild as well as in captive populations. A holistic approach will be required to create point-of-care diagnostics to confirm the lethal virus at the pre-clinical stage.
A study by ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR-IVRI), Izatnagar, Bareilly, supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), an attached institution of the Department of Science and Technology, has found the exact status of EEHV and its subtypes circulating among Asian elephant population in India.
The research published in the journal Microbial Pathogenesis characterized the genome of the virus circulating in the Indian elephant population and traced the molecular mechanism of dysfunction of endothelial cells associated with this disease. Work has been initiated to facilitate the development of the diagnostic kits (Pen side) and vaccines based on this work. The information gathered from this project’s research has helped to create Standard Operating Procedures that handle disease information among mahouts and elephant conservationists, scientists said.
– global bihari bureau
