Jimbo and Tun Tan being cared for by a Wildlife Rescue Unit staff member. This picture was taken in 2014. — Sabah Wildlife Department
Jimbo died within 24 hours of the onset of clinical signs for the disease, followed by the third calf slightly a week later, then Tun Tan two days after that, according to a case report titled There are an estimated 1,500 Pak Belalai, as they’re called locally, in Peninsular Malaysia, in addition to another 1,000 to 1,500 individuals in Sabah, where they are called Nenek, Aki, and Liman by different native peoples.
According to the study, a “molecular detection approach was taken by utilising a polymerase chain reaction amplification targeting the polymerase U38 gene region; this revealed that 12 of the 33 individuals were EEHV-positive, spanning ages from two months to 15 years and involving both sexes”. “It is crucial to establish early detection capabilities for infections within the Asian elephant population in Peninsular Malaysia. Early detection is important and the data can be used as a baseline database for elephant captive management,” the researchers said.EEHV is a type of herpesvirus, which can cause a highly fatal haemorrhagic disease when transmitted to young Asian elephants, with some types killing up to 80% of affected animals.
“So the department does not have any data on elephant deaths due to EEHV before the molecular screening was carried out,” Perhilitan says.“Screening for the virus has been and will continue to be carried out for all elephants in captivity. “By having resources and capacity to carry out research, we can better understand the status of these elephant populations,” she points out.
Animals Disease Threatened Virus Peninsular Malaysia Sabah
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