EEHV Monitoring and Preparedness at the OKC Zoo

The Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) is a herpes virus that causes a deadly hemorrhagic disease in young Asian and African elephants, both in range countries and in human care. This makes early detection critical. At the OKC Zoo, we are committed to EEHV research and preparedness efforts. To ensure the health and safety of the Zoo's seven Asian elephants, the veterinary and elephant caretaker teams monitor our elephants for EEHV through daily body checks, behavioral assessments, in addition to regular blood collections, trunk washes, blood pressure recordings, heart ultrasounds and more. Weekly blood samples are processed through the Zoo’s PCR machine, which helps detect early signs of the virus. Early diagnosis and treatment can save an elephant’s life. Our vet and elephant experts along with our colleagues at Association of Zoos and Aquariums member zoos plus, conservation partners like International Elephant Foundation, are working together to support EEHV research and the development of a vaccine.