The global first, Australia has approved the world’s first vaccine to save the endangered koalas from chlamydia, which is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Breeding spreads this disease, which also causes several other disturbances in the body, like infertility, blindness, and painful urinary tract infections.
Chlamydia, the most common bacterial STI, can spread through intercourse, oral, and anal sex. Since it often shows no symptoms, people can unknowingly transmit it to others.
The vaccine, developed over more than a decade by Australia’s University of Sunshine Coast (UniSC) and later approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority as an initiative to control the death toll and protect the endangered koalas from chlamydia.
The single-dose shot, requiring no booster required to dramatically reduce the infection rate and death among wild koalas.
A study at UniSC found that the vaccinated koalas had a significantly lower chance of developing chlamydia symptoms during breeding age and reduced mortality from the disease by at least 65 per cent.
Until now, antibiotics were the only option available for infected koalas, but they used to disturb koalas’ ability to digest their sole food source, that is, eucalyptus leaves.
The newly approved vaccine would now be available in wildlife hospitals, veterinary clinics and for field use.
Australia’s approval marks a major step in wildlife conservation, offering hope to native species.
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