A theatre of operations trial of a vaccinum against koala chlamydia hasstarted well , raise hopes for preventing the number one cause of death of the much loved marsupial .
Even in a continent known for its magnetic animal , koalas have a favored billet , but currently they are in decay . scourge let in log , dogs , cars , and one-half of wild koalas are infect with chlamydia , often fatally . While disease - free islands are often overpopulate with native bear , numbers in some mainland areas have dropped by 80 % in 10 twelvemonth , and the species is listed asthreatened in most of its image .
Koalas and humans are not the only species to be infect by members of theChlamydiaceaefamily of bacterium . However , where most humans with theChlamydia trachomatisbacterium are symptomless , koalas routinely sustain cecity , painful cysts and infertility , along with urinary tract infection that can turn toxic from thetwo species that affect them . Antibiotics are effective if administered early , but this requiresseveral months in captivity .
However , when you are as precious as a native bear , wallets have a way of opening . A consortium let in two universities , individual institutions and local and land governing have developed a vaccinum that has shown success in the lab . The first force field trial involved the capturing , radio - collaring and release of sixty koalas near Moreton Bay . Half the subjects were also immunize , with the others leave alone as a control .
Professor Peter Timms of the University of the Sunshine Coast says the first news is that , in keep on with the Hippocratic Oath , the study did no impairment . “ This great visitation has reassert that the vaccine is safe to give to not only absorbed koalas , but also koalas in the wild , ” says Timms .
Moreover , immunised animals showed a hard resistant response , and the disease did not progress in those already infect , unlike three members of the dominance group . Vaccinated female also come along more potential to be carrying joeys . The result are yet to be write however , and Timms says a foresighted timeline is postulate to confirm winner .
“ While these results are very hopeful , the trial will extend for at least another year . We trust to specifically show a incontrovertible effect of the vaccine on disease , not just contagion , as well as female reproductive charge per unit , ” says Timms , adding , “ We sense compelled to start using this vaccinum more broadly , specially when we sleep together that it is safe and has some definite cocksure benefit to the animals . ” The University needs $ 2.5 million to go the vaccination programme to a big population and isseeking donations .
The research worker add that the work could lead to vaccines against related bacteria that taint humans and many other animate being species . So far the anti - vax movement has not alleged the program is producing autistic koalas , but it is probably only a topic of clock time .
