LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A beloved 3-year-old elephant at the Louisville Zoo has been diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease.
In a news release, zoo officials said Thursday that Fitz has been diagnosed with elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus. It's known as the EEHV virus.
The virus effects elephants, especially young elephants, worldwide. The elephant care team first noticed signs of the virus on June 25.
This happened after fellow elephant, Punch, placed her trunk multiple times in Fitz's mouth, something the zoo said "is abnormal behavior for the animals." Staff members then noticed that Fitz was acting "somewhat lethargic."
Fitz, an elephant at the Louisville Zoo, was born in 2019 and quickly became popular with guests.
A blood sample sent to the Smithsonian Zoo confirmed the diagnosis on June 28. It's still unknown what activates the disease.
There is no vaccine for the virus and there's just a 20-30% survival rate.
“Our highest priority is keeping Fitz as comfortable and safe as possible. As he’s receiving treatment and under medical care, he will not be viewable to the public, but we hope the community will help us rally behind Fitz,” Louisville Zoo Director, Dan Maloney, said in a news release. “Our entire animal health and animal care teams are working around the clock to help Fitz, and we are thankful for the support of other zoos across the country that have already reached out to assist.”
Fitz could also experience an unwillingness to eat, a rapid heartbeat, decreased white blood cells and platelet count and edema. The virus also causes hemorrhagic disease.
Zoo officials said Punch, who shares an exhibit with Fitz and Mikki, isn't showing signs of the infection. No other animals at the zoo are at risk.
Regular updates on Fitz's condition will be made online and on social media.
Maloney posted a video online with more information about the virus that can be viewed below:
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