The first vaccine on koalas was approved in Australia

The use of the first koala chlamydia vaccine in the world has been a significant move in the conservation of wildlife in Australia. The single-dose vaccine, cleared by the veterinary regulator in the country, took more than ten years of research at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, under the leadership of Professor Peter Timms.

Chlamydia Threat to Koalas

• Chlamydia leads to urinary infections, infertility, blindness, and death of the koalas.
• It has been shown to inordinately impact breeding-age animals and is a cause of almost half of wild koala mortality.
• The infection rates in the areas of Queensland and New South Wales are up to 50-70 percent.
• Antibiotics are also inappropriate due to the fact that they interfere with the digestion process of the feed that is available to the koalas which is the eucalyptus leaves.

The Impact and the Development of Vaccines.

• The vaccine is single dose and does not require boosters.
• Clinical trials demonstrated a 65 % cent reduction in symptoms of the disease and death.
• Stable, synthetic, and safer than other drugs, has been approved to use in wildlife hospital, veterinary clinic and conservation programs.

Conservation Challenges

Even though the vaccine will deal with one of the greatest health threats, habitat destruction is also critical.

• The habitats of koalas are still becoming smaller due to wildfires, climate change, and urbanisation.
• Conservationists emphasize that along with vaccination, the habitat should be protected to ensure survival in the long run.

Koala Population Status

• National Koala monitoring program: between 224,000-524,000 koalas.
• Australian Koala Foundation: less than 100,000.
• Koalas are endangered in Queensland, New South Wales and ACT.
• In the absence of action, extinction is imminent by 2050.

Government Support

• Federal and state governments helped in the development of vaccines.
• Supported by the AU76 million Saving Koalas Fund.
• The federal Environment Minister Murray Watt emphasized the vaccine to protect reproductive health and increase conservation.

About Koalas

Koalas are arborals or marsupials, found in Australia, having an almost sole food source ineucalyptus leaves. Their paws are specialised and have two opposing thumbs that are used in climbing and most of their time is spent either eating or sleeping in the trees.