The disease causes blindness, infertility, and is often fatal—in some colonies, up to 70% of animals are infected.

Scientists at the University of the Sunshine Coast have been working on the single-dose vaccine for over 10 years. It has already been proven to reduce mortality among wild koalas by at least 65%.

The vaccine is expected to be distributed to wildlife hospitals and the most endangered populations as early as January, but researchers insist that measures to protect habitats are also needed, without which the species is doomed. | BGNES