A breakthrough in the origins of HIV has been made, with researchers stating that two of the four known strains of the virus came from west lowland gorillas in Cameroon.
A team led by Dr Martine Peeters, from the University of Montpellier in France, discovered that the O and P groups came from gorillas.
The other two, M and N, have long been understood to have emerged in chimpanzees, also in Cameroon.
"Understanding emerging disease origins is critical to gauge future human infection risks," Dr Peeters said.
"From this study and others that our team has conducted in the past, it has become clear that both chimpanzees and gorillas harbour viruses that are capable of crossing the species barrier to humans and have the potential to cause major disease outbreaks."
HIV is commonly caught through unprotected sex. The virus attacks a person's immune system, making it more vulnerable to disease and infections.
According to the World Health Organization, around 34 million people in the world are living with HIV.
A team led by Dr Martine Peeters, from the University of Montpellier in France, discovered that the O and P groups came from gorillas.
The other two, M and N, have long been understood to have emerged in chimpanzees, also in Cameroon.
"Understanding emerging disease origins is critical to gauge future human infection risks," Dr Peeters said.
"From this study and others that our team has conducted in the past, it has become clear that both chimpanzees and gorillas harbour viruses that are capable of crossing the species barrier to humans and have the potential to cause major disease outbreaks."
HIV is commonly caught through unprotected sex. The virus attacks a person's immune system, making it more vulnerable to disease and infections.
According to the World Health Organization, around 34 million people in the world are living with HIV.