Can Humans Catch Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)?
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a serious and potentially fatal disease that primarily affects cats, especially those that are young or have compromised immune systems. A common question among pet owners is whether FeLV poses any threat to humans. The straightforward answer is:
FeLV is not contagious to humans. This retrovirus is actually species-specific, meaning it only infects members of the felid family.
What Is FeLV?
FeLV is a retrovirus that affects cats worldwide, making it one of the most significant feline infectious diseases. It damages a cat’s immune system and can lead to various complications such as:
- Cancers, especially lymphoma and leukemia
- Blood disorders
- Immune suppression, making cats vulnerable to secondary infections
How Is FeLV Transmitted?
While FeLV does not infect humans, it is highly contagious among cats. It is mainly spread through:
- Saliva – Particularly during grooming or shared food and water bowls
- Blood, urine, feces, nasal secretions, and milk
- Direct contact via bite wounds or mutual grooming
- From mother to kitten during pregnancy or nursing
However, the virus is
fragile and does not survive long outside the cat's body. Common disinfectants inactivate it, and environmental transmission is exceptionally rare.
Why Humans Are Not at Risk
FeLV is
species-specific, meaning it only infects cats and some wild felid species. It
cannot be transmitted to people or dogs. There is no evidence that the virus can infect any non-feline species. It is not a zoonotic disease, so pet owners can rest assured their health is not at risk, even when living with FeLV-positive cats.
Which Cats Are at Risk?
Certain felines are more prone to FeLV infection:
- Outdoor cats with exposure to unknown cats
- Cats in multi-cat households where FeLV status is unclear
- Kittens and young cats with undeveloped immune systems
- Offspring of infected mothers
Stages of FeLV Infection
After exposure, cats may experience different outcomes:
- Abortive infections – Virus is eliminated by the immune system
- Regressive infections – Virus is dormant within bone marrow; not contagious unless reactivated
- Latent infections – Virus is low in quantity and may not spread unless immunity drops
- Progressive infections – Virus actively replicates and cat is contagious
Clinical Signs in Infected Cats
FeLV may manifest as:
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Poor coat condition
- Pale gums or jaundice
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chronic infections and persistent diarrhea
- Lethargy and weakness
- Neurologic changes
Diagnosis and Prognosis
FeLV is often detected through
ELISA blood tests, with further confirmation using
IFA and PCR tests. Not all cats testing positive remain persistently infected. Some clear the virus and live healthy lives, while others develop progressive infections with a significantly reduced life expectancy.
Treatment and Care
There is no cure for FeLV. Treatment focuses on:
- Managing secondary infections
- Supportive care including nutrition and hydration
- Anti-inflammatories and blood transfusions, when necessary
With love and care, many infected cats can still live content, fulfilling lives.
Preventing FeLV
Preventive measures include:
- Testing new cats before introducing them to other felines
- Separation of infected and healthy cats
- FeLV vaccination, especially for kittens and at-risk adult cats
- Indoor living to reduce exposure risk
Vaccinated cats won’t falsely test positive and can still benefit from cautious exposure limits.
Conclusion
Feline leukemia virus can be a devastating illness in cats, but
it poses no risk to human health. With preventive care and responsible pet ownership, you can protect your furry companions and give FeLV-positive cats the chance to live happy and meaningful lives.
