Breakthrough Vaccine Offers Hope for Australia's Endangered Koalas
A vaccine to protect Australia's koalas from chlamydia, a disease causing significant mortality, has been approved. Developed over a decade, it offers three levels of protection and could reduce koala deaths by 65%. Rollout requires more funding, with demand already high among wildlife hospitals.
For the first time, a vaccine aimed at protecting Australia's vulnerable koala population against chlamydia has been approved, potentially halting the spread of a disease devastating these beloved marsupials. Chlamydia, familiar also to humans, is responsible for nearly half of all koala deaths in the wild.
Peter Timms, microbiology professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast, revealed that some koala colonies are nearing local extinction. His team has spent over ten years perfecting a single-dose vaccine. This disease, transmitted through mating or birth, can lead to infertility, blindness, and severe infections, leaving koalas too dehydrated to feed themselves.
Infection rates in regions like Queensland and New South Wales sometimes reach 70%, showcasing the dire need for this vaccine, which could cut mortality by 65%. As early as next year, 500 doses are expected to be rolled out, although significant funding is essential to meet the ongoing demand.
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