Cyprus has become an "island of dead cats" after a feline coronavirus outbreak killed 300,000 cats

Many cats could die if virus spreading in Cyprus reaches Britain, experts warn

Original article: Cyprus becomes 'island of dead cats' after outbreak of feline coronavirus kills 300,000
Sarah Newey, GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY CORRESPONDENT
11.7.2023

Experts have warned that Cyprus risks turning into an "island of dead cats" following the outbreak of the feline coronavirus epidemic.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a strain of coronavirus, has been killing stray and domestic cats since January, with experts warning that "many cats" could die if the virus, which is circulating in Cyprus, reaches Britain.

The country, sometimes called the “island of cats,” is home to the earliest evidence of animal domestication. But there is growing concern about the threat posed by “feline Covid” – which does not infect humans but is usually fatal in felines if left untreated.

“Local veterinarians are reporting an alarming increase in FIP cases, which began in January in the capital Nicosia and spread throughout the island within three to four months,” said Dr. Demetris Epaminondas, vice-president of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association.

In a recent blog post, he added that this is the first “outbreak of this magnitude” ever recorded, with previous cases of FIP generally confined to catteries. Symptoms include fever, an enlarged abdomen, loss of energy and sometimes increased hostility. The virus typically affects kittens and young cats.

Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore, an expert in feline medicine at the University of Edinburgh, told the Telegraph that an epidemic of this scale had “never been seen in history”, with reports of dead cats lying on the streets and suspicions that it could be a new, deadlier strain of FIP. Tests are currently underway to confirm this.

She added that local authorities have set up an advisory team, launched a media information campaign and are working to change legislation so that drugs can be used to treat cats, but stressed that no feline should be allowed to leave the country without negative tests.

"There is already some evidence - albeit anecdotal - that the disease may have also appeared in Turkey, Lebanon and potentially Israel. If this virus were to reach the UK, it could cause the death of many of our cats. It would be heartbreaking. We need to take this seriously."

Cyprus is a cat-loving country, and its history has a long history with these furry animals – archaeologists have found evidence of their domestication dating back 9,500 years.

However, locals who feed stray cats on the island report that their regulars are increasingly disappearing as they succumb to the virus. Although only 107 cases have been officially reported, veterinarians and animal rights activists estimate that the true number is much higher.

“We have lost 300,000 cats [to FIP] since January,” Dinos Ayiomamitis, head of Cats PAWS Cyprus and vice-chairman of Cyprus Voice for Animals, told Agence France-Presse. The island’s cat population is estimated at around one million.

He said part of the problem with counting cases is that with so many stray animals living in Cyprus, it is almost impossible to diagnose and document all cases of the disease.

Dr. Epaminondas said that “the only way to stop the disease is through treatment,” but even that proved difficult.

Experts want to start using the two treatments on cats, but bureaucratic hurdles and costs have prevented further progress.

These are the drugs remdesivir, which is used to treat Covid-19, and the closely related drug GS-441524. Although approved for use on animals in the UK and for import into Cyprus, they are expensive - from £2,500 to £6,000 for a 3-4kg cat.

Another option is a cheaper antiviral used to treat Covid-19 in humans called molnupiravir. Dr Epaminondas estimates it would cost around £170 per animal - but the Veterinary Association's application for permission to treat the cats was rejected in May because the government said human medicines could not be imported for use in veterinary care.

Professor Gunn-Moore urged the Cypriot government to make the drugs GS-441524, remdesivir and molnupiravir available to all cats, but said the ultimate control tool would be a vaccine.

"This is about the coronavirus, so based on the Covid epidemic, it could very well happen if the pharmaceutical companies want to do it," she said.

With the government taking no action, some people are buying the drugs themselves – and Dr Epaminondas told Cypriot news in May that a black market in cheap, unlicensed drugs is “thriving”.

Among those looking for their own solutions is Vasiliki Mani, 38, a member of several animal welfare organisations who has spent around £3,000 of her savings on treating two sick strays. She told AFP that unless FIP is stopped soon, Cyprus will become an "island of dead cats".

What to do when your cat gets FIP?

A huge outbreak of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) has raised concerns in Cyprus, particularly with reports that a slightly different version of the virus may be circulating, but is not unique to the country and has previously been reported in the UK.

If your cat shows symptoms such as fever, abdominal distension, loss of energy and sometimes aggressive behavior, experts recommend that you take it to the vet immediately. Kittens and cats under two years of age are most at risk.

An antiviral drug used to treat Covid-19 called remdesivir is available in the UK, as well as a closely related drug called GS-441524, approved for use in cats with FIP.

Veterinarians say the “gold standard” treatment is a three- to four-day infusion of remdesivir, followed by up to two weeks of injections, followed by oral GS-441524 to prevent relapse — for a total of about 12 weeks.