Dublin Zoo announces elephants are fully healthy after outbreak of deadly virus

Kenneth Fox

Dublin Zoo says all its elephants are now healthy following the break-out of a deadly virus.

Two elephants died from the EEHV disease in July.

EEHV is a life-threatening virus that only exits in elephants and has a high mortality rate amongst younger members of the herd.

All five Asian female elephants at Dublin Zoo contracted the virus over the summer while the one male did not.

The virus resulted in the deaths of 8-year-old Avani and 7 year old Zinda and there were concerns for the three others - particularly the younger ones.

But now Dublin Zoo has revealed they have recovered and are no longer at risk.

The Director of the Zoo says it is a bittersweet moment as they're relieved and grateful their elephant herd has recovered, but says they will never forget the tragic loss of two elephants.

Dublin Zoo announced the news with a post on Facebook earlier on Wednesday morning.