Tassie devil vaccine closer
SCIENTISTS believe they’re one step closer to developing a vaccine to protect the iconic Tasmanian devil from the deadly facial tumour disease that’s decimated the marsupial’s population.
A study of 52 devils immunised and released into the wild has found nearly all developed antibodies to fight the disease.
“This study is the first evidence that most Tasmanian devils can make an antibody response against DFTD cells,” lead author Dr Ruth Pye said. “Although there was a slow decline in the amount of specific antibody seen, responses were maintained for at least five months after immunisation.” Devils were released at two spots in the Apple Isle’s north – 19 at Narawntapu National Park and 33 at Stony Head.
Of the populations, 95 per cent made DFTD-specific antibodies in what was described as a “major advancement”.