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One of the major kalaal-causing diseases, chlamydia, has spread in nearly two-thirds of a colony in southeastern Victoria
. Monash University made this discovery and warn that the disease
They tested the droppings of wild koalas living in southern Gippsland and found that 61% of the samples were positive for chlamydia.
However, the koala retrovirus – a virus resembling chlamydia, which can cause infertility and blindness, has been blamed for causing dramatic reductions, which is little known and present in only 27% of droppings
. in many koala populations in NSW and Queensland.
Scientists worked on the vaccine to try to prevent its spread.
Monash University researchers behind South Gippsl "Given the high prevalence and diversity of strains of C. pecorum (chlamydia) throughout the South Gippsland region, and the probability an increase in the koala population in the region. " 19659002 "the environmental pressures in the future, the incidence and / or the severity of the declared disease could increase in the region in the next years", one writes in a research article published Wednesday in the Wildlife Research Review
Monitoring these infections in the area over time is vital. "
The study was the first large-scale study of the prevalence of chlamydia and retroviruses in the Wild Koalas population of South Gippsland, 19659002] The disease was more common in koala females than in males, while the retrovirus rate was similar in both bades.
Koalas living in large populations i Koala koalas Southern Gippsland are considered by scientists to be unique genetically compared to those of other Victoria colonies, many of which are home to koalas from southern Gippsland, the ancestors of koalas that have were introduced from other regions.
Monash researchers claim that the greater genetic diversity among the koalas of southern Gippsland makes it a high conservation priority.
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