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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Zoo says an African elephant has tested positive for a virus that earlier killed two other members of its herd.
It said Thursday that 13-year-old male Kedar has tested positive for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus and is being treated for it.
The zoo says it started testing the blood of each elephant twice a week after two elephants, Nyah and Kalina, died in March . Lab and pathology tests confirmed both elephants had EEHV, which causes fatal hemorrhagic disease in elephants.
Zoo staff conducted a blood test for the virus on Kedar on May 2 and the results came back negative. The zoo says staff tested Kedar's blood again on Monday and the results came back positive.
“Kedar is receiving aggressive treatment to help him fight the virus,” said Dr. Rob Shumaker, zoo president. ”Our veterinary team has consulted with other experts who have dealt with this dreadful disease, and the best possible care is being provided to Kedar.”
The zoo says humans and other animal species cannot contract the virus.
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