A vaccine to protect Australian koalas against chlamydia has been approved for the first time, health officials announced Tuesday, marking a major scientific breakthrough for the survival of this endangered, iconic species.
The disease, which can cause blindness, infertility, and even death in these marsupials, has decimated koala populations in recent decades, particularly on the country's east coast. Scientists estimate that up to 50% of koalas in some regions are affected by this bacterial infection.
The vaccine, administered in a single dose, is now ready for deployment across the country, both in animal hospitals and specialist clinics and directly in the field, as part of wildlife protection programs.
Researchers and environmentalists hope the new measure will help stem the spread of the disease and stabilize koala populations, already weakened by deforestation, wildfires and climate change.
"This is a crucial step for the conservation of this iconic species," stressed the scientists involved in the project, recalling that the survival of koalas now depends on rapid and coordinated actions to preserve their habitat and health.
