Research overview: feline panleukopenia (parvovirus) spillover to wild felids

Feline panleukopenia virus, a parvovirus closely related to canine parvovirus, causes severe, often fatal disease and circulates readily among domestic cats, posing a spillover risk to wild felids. This overview surveys evidence of panleukopenia exposure and disease in wild cats, the virus’s extreme environmental persistence, and its potential to cause outbreaks in immunologically naive or stressed populations. It examines transmission via the fecal-oral route, the role of domestic and feral cats as sources, and the management of the disease in captive felid collections through vaccination and hygiene. The synthesis frames parvovirus as a hardy, widespread threat that can move from pets into wildlife. It aims to help readers understand why panleukopenia is a recurring concern in felid conservation and a standard target of vaccination in managed populations.