Treating TB In Tuskers

Nepal has made significant strides in wildlife conservation. There are about 200 elephants in Nepal while it has almost tripled the number of tigers in just over a decade. Nepal has been able to control tuberculosis in elephants, both captive and wild. In the past four years, no sign of TB has been observed in elephants in Chitwan which indicates that treatment has been effective, and it is a huge achievement. As per a news report published in this daily, around 67 elephants in Chitwan National Park have been successfully cured of TB. A decade ago TB was rampant among both captive and wild elephants. It emerged as one of the major health problem for elephants used for Safari in Sauraha and other protected areas. 

A test conducted on 200 elephants in 2012 confirmed that around 23 per cent of elephants belonging to national parks and tourism entrepreneurs were infected with tuberculosis. It was an alarming situation and a major setback for conservationists. Elephants infected with TB were given Ethambutol, Rifampicin and Isoniazid which are also used for humans. As per doctors, this medication needs to be administered to elephants at a dose 40 times more than that of humans. Elephants recover from TB after they are given medicines regularly for one year. Over the years, with timely medication, TB infection among elephants has significantly decreased.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most feared infectious diseases in Nepal. Around 18,000 people die of this disease every year in the country. By 2020 at least 15 elephants in Chitwan were reported to have contracted TB and died of it. Elephants infected with TB show the symptoms of persistent coughing, mild fever at night, excessive fatigue, night sweats, chills and increased appetite. People in charge of taking care of these elephants are prone to TB infection themselves. So regular screening and medication is important for the treatment of TB-infected pachyderms.

Routine surveillance of elephants and their handlers and early diagnosis and treatment of both elephants and their caretakers are important to check the transmission of the disease from elephants to humans and vice-versa. Elephants are susceptible to various infectious diseases like TB, rabies, tetanus, anthrax, etc. TB affects both captive and wild elephants worldwide. TB in elephants is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis or M.bovis. Interspecies transmission of TB among animals and humans is confirmed in different places. TB was first identified in captive elephants in 2002 and surveillance for TB in elephants in Nepal began in 2006. 

Tourism has played an important role in sustaining the country's economy. Every year thousands of tourists visit Nepal to watch the wildlife. The health of wildlife determines the inflow of tourists. Thus concerted effort from the government, national parks, conservationists and general people is essential for our wildlife to thrive. Many foreigners visit Chitwan to see the mammoths. Control of TB in elephants is an important medical achievement. At the same time, the government should continue screening, testing and medication to make sure that TB among elephants is eradicated.