• Question: Can other animals obtain HIV?

    Asked by to Ramya, Bethany on 19 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Bethany Dearlove

      Bethany Dearlove answered on 19 Jun 2014:


      No, other animals cannot be infected by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), as it is well-adapted to the human body. However, animals can get viruses that are similar to HIV. In particular, some primates (for example, monkeys or chimpanzees) can get a virus known as SIV (Simian immunodeficiency virus), although SIV often appears to be not harmful to live with like HIV can be in humans. It’s believed that HIV actually came into humans from being in contact with two strains of SIV found in sooty mangabeys and chimpanzees, probably through eating infected meat, or blood entering through a cut while hunting.

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