A cat in Nairobi has been diagnosed with a virus similar to HIV/AIDS in human beings.
The cat was diagnosed by pathologists from Lancet Laboratories Kenya after the owner noticed the pet exhibited gradual loss of weight and lack of energy.
According to Dr. Dhaval Shah, the pet was found to have Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) which is the version of HIV in cats.
Dr Shah, who examined the pet, stated that FIV causes the cat version of AIDS by degrading their immune system, leaving them vulnerable to a host of opportunistic diseases.
The pathologist indicated that the virus cannot be transmitted to humans.
“Humans cannot be infected by FIV, nor can cats be infected by HIV. This discovery should prompt cat owners to protect their cats from exposure to the virus by keeping them indoors and reducing contact with free-roaming cats which tend to carry the virus.
Shah expressed that "the virus spreads between cats through bites during fights hence cat owners should be vigilant against aggressive or free-roaming cats".
The diagnosis is the first in Kenya and the pathologists have urged cat owners to be on the look out for symptoms such as fever, weight loss, lymph node enlargement, loss of weight, diarrhea among others.
The virus just like HIV has no cure.
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