Animal rescuers are issuing alerts about a new strain of feline virus, which is endangering Cyprus's cat population.
The island, which is renowned for having a large population of both domestic and wild cats, is suspected to be seeing a spread of the feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) outbreak, which is brought on by the feline coronavirus.
Concerned vets have noticed an increase in FIP cases since the beginning of the year, and they claim it has already killed hundreds of cats.
But what is feline coronavirus, how many cats have been affected, and will it reach the UK? Here’s everything we know.
What is feline coronavirus?
Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) is a common viral infection in cats. It is a highly infectious and potentially fatal disease for cats.
There is currently no vaccine approved for use in the UK.
The coronavirus that caused the Covid-19 pandemic is different from the feline coronavirus in that it cannot be passed from cats to people.
FCoV transmission can be decreased by keeping litter boxes, food, and water bowls clean and separating cats into groups of no more than four in a single residence.
Although there is no current approved vaccination for the disease, recently, created treatments have increased the likelihood that FIP-affected cats may live longer.
How many cats have been affected?
Animal rights activists claim that the number of cats passing away from illness is substantially higher than the 107 cases of FIP that the agriculture ministry officially documented in the southern half of the island.
Dinos Ayiomamitis, vice-president of Cyprus Voice for Animals and CEO of Cats PAWS Cyprus, stated that “we have lost 300,000 cats since January” due to FIP.
Coronavirus killing felines on 'cat island' Cyprus.
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) July 11, 2023
"We have lost 300,000 cats since January" from FIP, says Dinos Ayiomamitis, head of Cats PAWS Cyprus and vice-president of Cyprus Voice for Animalshttps://t.co/awmjKkkWec pic.twitter.com/0bcxkMSemi
It is best to take your cat to the vet for a checkup if you have any reason to be worried about them.
The major indications that your cat may have the feline coronavirus include lethargy, weight loss, a fever, and a generalised appearance of being ill.
Will it reach the UK?
Although FCoV has not yet reached the UK, cat owners should still act with caution, especially if they intend to take their pet on holiday this summer.
The virus is transmitted by coming into contact with cat faeces that have the infection.
If an infected animal is brought into the country, it's feasible that this strain of feline coronavirus will reach the UK.
Although it is believed that an outbreak is also spreading among cat populations in the adjacent countries of Turkey, Israel, and Lebanon, it is impossible to prove this with the lack of investigations.
