Parvovirus in Cats is a deadly virus for which there is a vaccination.
Check with your vet, but vaccinating your kitten in the first 6 weeks might be good idea as by that time any immunity transferred from its mother’s milk is starting to wear off. There are a series of a few shots with annual boosters. As with canine parvovirus, it is highly contagious and is deadly (75%) without vaccination or treatment. It does not infect people. If treated immediately (no cure) symptomatically, cats might recover with intensive care. You will need to address the infected areas in the cat’s environment.
Cats can contract parvovirus from environmental factors such as fecal matter or urine, and any other type of body fluid—nasal, blood. So, while it may be from direct physical interaction from an infected cat, it could also be from an infected cat’s feces/urine. Infected areas may infect another cat for months. Avoid areas that have feral cats or unvaccinated cats.
Symptoms of parvovirus can mimic other diseases—so check with your vet—but include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite— eating or drinking.
To learn more:
http://www.avma.org/animal_health/brochures/panleukopenia/panleukopenia_brochure.asp
