Chlamydia ravages koala bears around the world. Up to 80 percent of the cuddly koalas have the disease, and they are suffering so much they could face extinction. No vaccine exists for the prevention of chlamydia, so scientists can treat an infected animal with antibiotics, but only after it has been infected.
The problem is that the disease is not easily detected. "Though the rate of infection has historically been quite high, the expression -- or display of symptoms -- has been low. It's with extreme stress among the animals, however, that the disease then expresses itself," according to AOL.
It would appear this disease is causing the animal population to become extinct. Hopefully, scientists will develop a vaccine before the animal becomes extinct with an estimated 43,000 koalas left on Earth. That's scary, and we don't want to lose the tiny animals.
What is chlamydia?
"The disease's effects include severe conjunctivitis (or "pink eye"), incontinence, prostatitis and kidney damage. Chlamydia is weakening koalas to the point where they no longer have the energy to survive. It can also cause conditions such as urinary tract infections that can impair the reproductive system. Zoologists say 30 to 45 percent of female koalas have been left infertile," writes AOL.
The disease is usually associated with promiscuous human beings, but the koala is suffering because no one knows they have the STD until the symptoms are so severe the animal is near death, and some have to be euthanized.
Koala Bears
There use to be several species of koala bears, but now, there is only one, and that one is in danger. "Koalas are marsupials, females having a pouch in which their young first develop. Their pouch faces the rear and has a drawstringlike muscle that the mother can tighten," according to Koalas.org.
The koala is the national symbol of Australia, and children and adults love the koala's adorable face. It would be a shame to allow chlamydia to destroy the last of these lovely creatures. Hopefully, scientists find a vaccine quickly. However, if they do find a vaccine, how will they distribute it?
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Source:http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978529534