Researchers have made a breakthrough in the development of new vaccine to prevent a deadly virus that affects young elephants.
The vaccine, produced by an international research team, aims to prevent the severe disease caused by elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), which is currently a leading cause of death in young Asian elephants.
In trials that involved adult elephants at Chester Zoo, the vaccine was found to be safe and, crucially, to activate part of the immune system that helps fight viruses.
Prof Falko Steinbach from the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the University of Surrey, said this was “a landmark moment in our work to protect Asian elephants”.
Victoria Gill/BBC
