90 percent of koalas in Japan infected with koala HIV

[ediblenapalm]

Nearly 90 percent of koalas in Japan are infected with koala retrovirus (KoRV), a virus similar to HIV in humans, according to the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA).

KoRV is spreading throughout wild koala populations in northeastern Australia, and there are concerns that it could be killing many koalas in Japan.

Kyoto University's analysis of blood tests conducted on 50 koalas in captivity in Japan -- 39 born in northeast Australia and their offspring, and 11 born in southeast Australia and their offspring -- showed that all those from the northeast and four originating from the southeast were infected with the virus.

KoRV, which cannot be transmitted to humans, attaches itself to the host's chromosomes and can induce lymphatic leukemia and infection by weakening the immune system.

Koalas in Japan have shorter life spans than their native Australian counterparts, with many dying from leukemia and other diseases. However, a connection between the virus and the shortened life spans has not been confirmed.

"I hope the analysis results will help the prevention and treatment of diseases," said Kyoto University Associate Professor Takayuki Miyazawa.

There were 60 koalas at nine zoos across Japan as of August last year, including the Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo's Hino and Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/news/20090411p2a00m0na013000c.html

 

[lrkun]

Poor animals.