Australia’s medicines regulatory agency has officially approved a chlamydia vaccine specifically designed for koalas, allowing nationwide use. Scientists hope this vaccine, developed over ten years, can save koalas from extinction.
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection first discovered in koalas about 50 years ago. Researchers point out that nearly half of koala deaths in the wild may be related to chlamydia infection.
Scientists at Australia’s University of the Sunshine Coast spent ten years developing this single-dose vaccine. Team leader Timms stated that wild koalas infected with chlamydia are especially prevalent in regions such as southeastern Queensland and New South Wales. "In these regions, infection rates among populations usually reach 50%, sometimes even 70%."
Data shows that the vaccine can significantly reduce the likelihood of koalas of breeding age getting infected with chlamydia, and can lower the mortality rate of wild populations by at least 65%.
Chlamydia can cause blindness, bladder infections, and infertility in koalas, ultimately leading to a painful death. If koalas contract chlamydia, antibiotics can be used for treatment, but the animals’ delicate digestive systems are severely impacted. Even after recovery, reinfection cannot be prevented, making a vaccine highly necessary for koalas.