Cat owners in Kenya have been urged to be more careful when handling them after recent research revealed HIV-like virus in one.
The cat that was tested was found to have Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Lancet Kenya who conducted the research has revealed.
Veterinary pathologist Dhaval Shah asserted that the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is in the same family as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
"This is the first case of FIV that we in the veterinary community are aware of in Kenya," said Shah.
"The pet cat was subjected to the lab test by its owners after it exhibited gradual loss of weight over a period of time and lack of energy," Shah said in a statement.
However, he advised the public not to be quick to get rid of their cats as FIV cannot be transmitted to humans.
"Humans cannot be affected by FIV nor can cats get HIV. This discovery should prompt owners to protect their cats from exposure to the virus by keeping them indoors," he said.
Shah also said that the virus is spread through bites between cats especially during a fight.
He highlighted the following symptoms in an infected cat: fever, weight loss, lymph node enlargement, lethargy, loss of appetite and diarrhoea.
The FIV virus was first discovered in 1986 at the University of California, USA.