Chester Zoo experts 'cautiously optimistic' that Indali will recover as levels of virus in her bloodstream decrease

Last week, the EEHV virus was discovered during the calf's thrice weekly blood tests.

Since then she has been the subject of round-the-clock intensive care - but worryingly had shown symptoms of the virus.

However, levels of the virus in her blood are appearing to decrease.

Indali

A spokesman for Chester Zoo said: "It has been nine days since our veterinary team first made an early detection of EEHV in Indali Hi Way’s blood tests. Experts continue to provide daily intensive care for the two-year-old calf.

"The latest blood sample results give some cause to be cautiously optimistic as detailed analysis, carried out by world EEHV expert Akbar Dastjerdi of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), shows that the levels of the virus in her bloodstream have dropped in recent days, which may be good news. During the onset of EEHV elephant calves become seriously dehydrated, however, Indali is keeping well hydrated, still eating and drinking regularly as well as spending time with her mum, Sundara.

"Indali’s disease continues to be life-threatening though, and the teams are still regularly treating Indali with immune boosting drugs, anti-viral drugs, blood plasma and fluid therapy. EEHV is an incredibly fast-acting and destructive virus which normally takes hold of a young elephant calf within days. The fact that Indali has been fighting the virus for nine days is providing hope that the new detection methods and treatments available are giving much better chances of helping Indali pull through. "This is currently unchartered territory as we have never treated an elephant calf for this length of time before, and experts remain optimistic that Indali can fight off the virus."

The Hi Way family herd remain inside the zoo’s Elephants of the Asian Forest habitat – which is closed to public during this time - to ensure Indali is as comfortable as possible whilst undergoing treatment.