Although the sample is small, the virus does appear to cause increased mortality and even in one case clear signs of AIDS. But we have much more to learn about its natural history and severity and expect that continued noninvasive study at Gombe, the only habituated population known to harbor SIVcpz, will lead to a greater understanding of both SIV and HIV, which could eventually lead to breakthroughs in therapies (and prevention) for both humans and chimpanzees.
