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What is EEHV?

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is a viral disease that causes illness and death in young elephants worldwide.

But there is hope!

North American EEHV Advisory Group

The North American EEHV Advisory Group is an excellent resource for information and assistance. Their mission is to disseminate knowledge of current best practices for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of EEHV. The EEHV Advisory Group also provides private and public elephant-holding facilities with technical assistance and facilitates research by building international collaborations. The EEHV Advisory Group consists of individuals that focus on guiding the group’s mission, veterinary care, elephant management, research, pathology, public relations, education, and international liaisons. There are parallel regional working groups in Europe, Thailand, Asia, and Africa. These groups are an indispensable resource when faced with treating an elephant with EEHV.

WHAT WE’RE DOING:

Our vision is a world where no elephant dies from EEHV. We are working against the clock to save elephants, both in our country and around the world.

By advancing research and best practices for EEHV disease prevention and treatment, we are providing hope and a path forward for elephants and the people who care for them.

WHY IT MATTERS:

There are thirty-six African elephants in the US who are vulnerable to death or illness from EEHV.

There are twenty-three Asian elephants in the US who are vulnerable to death or illness from EEHV.

These 59 elephants are the future of our herds in the United States, and their survival is critical to having healthy elephants on our continent for generations to come, for our children and grandchildren to cherish, just as we do.

But that is not all. By learning to protect elephants under our care, we are unlocking the key to protect elephants globally from EEHV disease.

Free ranging elephant populations in Africa and across Asia are fragmented and are negatively impacted by human activities, habitat loss, and climate change. As these iconic herds become more isolated from each other, herd immunity from EEHV disease will decrease, and these majestic giants will be more vulnerable to death or illness from EEHV. The work we are doing today helps to lay the groundwork for understanding and preventing EEHV disease in our remaining herds of free ranging elephants across the planet.

Advisory Group Member Spotlight: Dr. Jennifer D’Agostino

Dr. D’Agostino attended Michigan State University, where she earned her doctorate in veterinary medicine. She started her career at the OKC Zoo 21 years ago as a veterinary resident after gaining experience as an intern at Kansas State University, Sunset Zoo, Topeka Zoo and Rolling Hills Zoo. After completion of her residency, she stayed on at the OKC Zoo as Associate Veterinarian and moved up to Director of Veterinary Services 2 years later. In 2024, she moved into the role of Chief Animal Program Officer, overseeing the Zoo’s animal management and veterinary services programs.

I am very passionate about elephant care and dedicated to stopping elephant deaths due to EEHV. Being part of the EEHV advisory group and working with the leading experts in the field to help move this vision forward is incredibly rewarding.

My favorite memory is the day we saw our 3 year old calf start to respond appropriately, based on CBC values, to the EEHV1A virus and recover from EEHV HD.

In my spare time I am an avid amateur photographer. I love to travel and hike and photograph wildlife and nature.