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Mains Paper 2: Health
Prelims level: Elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus
Mains level: Elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus

Context

• The death of five elephant calves in Odisha has been traced to an illness caused by the elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus (EEHV).

Background

• According to news sources four calves died in Bhubaneswar’s Nandankanan zoo within a month of contracting the virus, while another died on the outskirts of the city.
• It’s the first time that this virus has claimed the lives of elephants in an Indian zoo.
• The Central Zoo Authority has set up a six-member team of veterinary specialists to develop a standard operating procedure to tackle such cases.
• The zoo is also looking to identify other elephants that may be infected.
• Adults of the species are known to carry EEHV with no overt symptoms, but it can be fatal for calves less than nine years old.

Way ahead

• In India, the treatment protocol for animal illness includes the use of anti-viral drugs, antibiotics and other medicines.
• Like other herpes viruses, EEHV could be contagious, which means that authorities need to swing into action before it spreads.

Conclusion

• If elephants in the wild get infected, stopping an epidemic may prove very difficult. Wildlife specialists need to be on high alert. Let’s keep these animals safe.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) Consider the following statements with reference to the Magnetic Field of the Earth:
1. Earth’s magnetic field is caused due to the differential rate of spinning of Inner and Outer Core.
2. It takes around 200,000 to 300,000 years for Earth’s magnetic field to flip polarity.
3. The reversal of the Magnetic Polarity of Earth could lead to its Destruction.

Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B
Mains Questions:
Q.1) What is elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus? What are the measures needed to protect wild animals from these diseases?