“Scientists in the UK have developed the world’s first vaccine for elephant herpesvirus, a disease that kills many young Asian elephants. In tests at Chester Zoo, the vaccine triggered strong immune responses without observed side effects. Researchers now plan to test it in elephant calves and wild populations,” reports The Doomslayer.
The Independent explains:
An international team of vets has made a breakthrough in a vaccine trial for a virus that killed seven elephants at Chester Zoo. Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is a leading cause of death for young Asian elephants, both captive and wild, with no cure. Trials with adult elephants at Chester Zoo found a new vaccine safely triggered a strong immune response. The team (University of Surrey, Chester Zoo, Animal and Plant Health Agency) observed no side effects….
This follows five young elephants dying at the zoo from the virus in 2015, including calves Bala and Hari. Then, in 2018, three-year-old Nandita Hi Way and 18-month-old Aayu Hi Way succumbed to EEVH despite teams trying to save their lives through “groundbreaking” blood transfusions….researchers have been developing the vaccine for several years, delivering the first dose to an elephant at Chester Zoo in 2021.
Denmark is close to wiping out leading cancer-causing HPV strains through vaccination.
A vaccine to save koalas from chlamydia was recently approved. That disease has killed tens of thousands of koalas.
Scientists have developed a rabies vaccine for vampire bats that spreads through grooming: “The vaccine is delivered via a gel applied to one bat’s fur. When others groom it, they ingest the gel and gain immunity. Laboratory studies show this method could effectively protect entire colonies.”
