Tula-Tu, a young elephant at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, is being treated for endotheliotropic herpesvirus, known as EEHV-1B. While Tula-Tu is currently in stable condition, the virus is the leading cause of death for young Asian elephants and has previously claimed the life of her older sister, Lilly, who died in 2018 at the age of six.
Dr. Carlos Sanchez, the Oregon Zoo's director of animal health, stated that Tula-Tu has undergone multiple rounds of treatment, showing positive signs of improvement. "Her white-cell counts are nearly back to normal and her viral load is trending down. She appears more alert, and her appetite has improved — these are all positive indicators," Dr. Sanchez said in a press release. "She’s a tough little elephant."
The zoo is conducting extensive laboratory testing on Tula-Tu, including molecular testing, with samples sent to Oregon State University, Baylor College of Medicine, and the Smithsonian’s National Elephant Herpesvirus Laboratory. Her mother, Rose-Tu, has remained by her side, providing comfort and care, and Tula-Tu has also spent time with her father, Samson, and aunts Sung-Surin and Chendra. She has reportedly been seen playing with her favorite blue ball.
Earlier this year, Tula-Tu received an mRNA vaccine for the EEHV-1A strain, but her current infection is from a different strain, EEHV-1B. While EEHV-1B is associated with fewer fatalities than 1A, both are dangerous for young elephants, and it remains uncertain if the 1A vaccine offers protection against the 1B variant.
The Oregon Zoo has been involved in EEHV research for nearly 25 years, contributing to a global effort to develop vaccines and treatments. Tula-Tu's blood samples are expected to aid several ongoing studies, including research with OSU and Baylor aimed at understanding vaccine performance. "The work we’re doing now could play a significant role in protecting future elephant calves from the disease, including those in range countries," Dr. Sanchez noted. "It’s very difficult to study the virus in wild elephants, but zoos can monitor the elephants in their care closely and obtain samples of blood and other fluids."
