Vaccine for cat cancer near

ROBERT KITCHIN/Manawatu Standard

VACCINE IN SIGHT: Massey scientist Dr John Munday is working on vaccinating cats for a common type of skin cancer.

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A Massey University scientist is working on the world's first vaccine for the most common – and fatal – type of feline skin cancer.

Dr John Munday, an expert in Veterinary Pathology, hopes to create a vaccine for the papillomavirus associated with the most widespread type of feline skin cancer.

He said there is "strong proof" to show the vaccine could work like treatments that help prevent cervical cancer in humans.

This is because the virus affects the body of a cat in a similar manner.

"Using the knowledge that we have about people, it looks like it is definitely possible to prevent some skin cancer in cats. To be able to prevent this would definitely be a significant development."

Dr Munday was the first person to discover this type of papillomavirus.

About half of all cats carry the virus and are infected without any negative consequences.

However, for the small number of infected cats that develop cancer, it can be fatal.

There are currently no effective methods to prevent or cure infection caused by the virus. The vaccine may be used on a global scale once research is completed in the next few years.

Last year, Dr Munday was also the first to discover the origins of another virus – the feline sarcoid-associated papillomavirus – and to confirm its existence in New Zealand.

This virus causes a second type of rare skin cancer in cats.

Research revealed that it is present in cows but for them it is non-harmful.

Felines that are near cows can catch the disease through a wound in their skin.

- © Fairfax NZ News