Koala-Retrovirus

The koala retrovirus (English koala retrovirus ), abbreviated as Kõrv, is an enveloped virus belonging to the family of retroviruses and to the genus Gamma retrovirus only infects koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus ). Like all retroviruses, it settles permanently into the genome of the host. Kõrv is most closely related to the gibbon ape leukemia virus.

Infection with the koala retrovirus is an increasing problem for the already weakened Koala stocks. The Kõrv embed itself into the germ cells of the bag bears and weakens, such as HIV in humans, the immune defense. This infection can be facilitated primarily by chlamydia. The animals die or go blind as a result of chlamydial infection or become infertile. Also facilitates infection with viral diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, and cancer in general.

The northern part of the population is infected almost completely, while there are many areas without the virus in the south.

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