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Hundreds of koalas in Australia are due to be vaccinated against chlamydia, an infection which for the marsupials can lead to blindness, infertility and even death.
Experts have reported that in some areas — including South East Queensland and New South Wales — the disease affects more than 50 percent of koala populations.
However, researchers led from the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) hope that their vaccination program will play a key role in the long-term survival of the animals.
Like humans, koalas can catch chlamydia via sexual intercourse, but the infection can also be passed from mothers to their young via pap, a type of nutritional faeces.
Hundreds of koalas in Australia are due to be vaccinated against chlamydia , an infection which for the marsupials can lead to blindness, infertility and even death. Pictured: a koala
'The vaccine has now passed Phase 1 and Phase 2 testing that has established that it is completely safe and produces a good immune response and a good level of protection,' said USC microbiologist Peter Timms.
'The vaccine has been evaluated in more than 200 koalas in eight smaller trials so far, both in captive and wild koalas entering wildlife hospitals and in koala populations in the wild.
'We are now at the exciting stage of being ready to roll out the vaccine as part of large Phase 3 trials,' he added.
One venue for the vaccinations beginning today is the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in Beerwah, Queensland, where some 400 koalas are scheduled to be treated. The hospital has been involved in the vaccine's development for some years.
Koalas, Professor Timms explained, will receive the single-dose injection after undergoing routine hospital care but before
