SPRINGFIELD -- Late Thursday afternoon, Nisha (NEE-sha), Dickerson Park Zoo’s 16-month-old Asian elephant calf, began showing symptoms of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), a herpesvirus specific to elephants which is most often fatal.

More than two dozen elephant deaths around the world have been attributed to EEHV; there is no vaccination available. Historically, this herpesvirus is fatal within five days and most frequently occurs in elephants younger than seven years old. The most susceptible age seems to be elephant calves younger than age 3.

Because of the nature of this virus, zookeepers routinely examine Nisha twice a day for indications of EEHV.  Elephant keepers noticed early symptoms Thursday afternoon – a lesion on the roof of Nisha’s mouth and discoloration of her tongue.  By evening, Nisha’s head was swelling, another symptom of EEHV.  Upon seeing early symptoms of EEHV, zookeepers initiated an aggressive treatment of the anti-viral drug famciclovir in combination with antibiotics and lasix for swelling.

“Nisha held her own overnight,” said General Curator John Collette.  “She nursed all night and ate her grain this morning.  That’s a little something positive for us to hold on to in an otherwise grim situation.”

While she rested, zookeepers drew blood and shipped serum Thursday evening to research scientists at the National Elephant Herpesvirus Laboratory at Smithsonian National Zoo.  Results of tests are expected Friday evening confirming the EEHV diagnosis.

Besides the Smithsonian researchers, zoo staff are consulting with several local veterinarians and elephant experts across the country on Nisha’s treatment.

DPZ animal care staff successfully treated an elephant (Chandra) in 1997 with a similar combination of medications. Dickerson Park Zoo maintains a two-day supply of famciclovir as a precaution.  Elephant keepers administered the first doses of medication after detecting the lesion and tongue discoloration and obtained additional doses to cover the three-times-a-day prescription for a week.

This is the fifth occurrence of EEHV in an elephant calf born at Dickerson Park Zoo.  Initially identified by Smithsonian National Zoo researchers in 1995, EEHV was later determined to be the cause of death of Kate, who died at the age of 19 months in 1993.  In 1997, Chandra was the first elephant to be treated and survive.  She now lives at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Kala, a male elephant calf born at Dickerson Park Zoo, died in 2000 at Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, CA.  Haji, a male elephant calf died during the summer of 2002.  Kala and Haji, and other calves at other zoos, were treated unsuccessfully with the same anti-viral medication.

Elephant celebrates first birthday at Dickerson Park Zoo

Newborn's name is Nisha