Can humans catch chlamydia from koalas?

Chlamydia is a name used for infections caused by related bacteria in different hosts. The infection commonly called human chlamydia is passed mainly through sexual contact and can affect the cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat. Koala infections involve strains adapted to koalas. Handling wildlife, touching animal fluids, or visiting a wildlife setting does not by itself show that a person has human chlamydia. Human symptoms can include painful urination, unusual vaginal discharge, or bleeding between periods, but many infections cause no symptoms.

Follow wildlife staff advice after contact with a koala, including hand hygiene and reporting scratches or bites. If you have sexual exposure that could transmit human chlamydia, arrange STI screening rather than using the animal contact as a test of risk. Avoid sexual contact until a clinician advises that it is safe if human chlamydia is diagnosed. Antibiotic treatment is effective when prescribed, and partners may also need assessment. Do not take leftover antibiotics.

Seek medical care for pelvic pain, fever, pain during sex, painful urination, new vaginal discharge, or bleeding between periods. Urgent assessment is needed for severe lower abdominal pain, fainting, heavy bleeding, or feeling very unwell, because untreated pelvic infection can become more serious. A scratch or bite that is deep, dirty, or increasingly red also deserves medical attention.

Ask whether your symptoms or sexual history indicate STI screening, which samples are needed, when results are available, and whether partners require testing. Mention the animal contact separately, including any scratch, bite, or contact with body fluids, so the clinician can address both concerns.