Encephalomyocarditis Virus:
An autopsy report from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute revealed that lone African elephant at the National Zoological Park in Delhi died in due to the rare rodent-borne virus — encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV).
- It is a non-enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that is part of the Cardiovirus genus and Picornaviridae family.
- It is the causative agent of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) infection in swine and other mammals.
- African elephants are particularly susceptible to the virus, with outbreaks reported worldwide in captivity and in the wild.
- EMCV is a zoonotic disease, therefore humans are susceptible to infection. Most infections in humans are asymptomatic.
- The virus can be transmitted by food or water contamination caused from feces or urine of a rodent species.
- Symptoms of EMCV infection in humans can include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, neurological symptoms like confusion and seizures.
- Hosts of EMCV: Pigs, non-human primates, zoo animals, and various wild species can be affected.
- Treatment: Supportive care to manage symptoms and complications, with no specific treatment available.
