Coronavirus Kills Over 300,000 Cats in Cyprus Island

Jakarta – Coronavirus has reportedly killed more than 300,000 cats on the Cyprus Island, and could cause many more deaths if the virus reaches the United Kingdom (UK).

Both feral and domestic cats have died from feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a type of coronavirus, since January. The virus poses no threat to humans, but may be fatal to cats if not treated quickly.

Cats are common and easy to find in Cyprus, which is also known as cat island, and is home to the earliest evidence of their domestication.

Many cats on the eastern Mediterranean island are feral, and it's not uncommon for them to roam people's gardens, sit in restaurants, and loiter near garbage bins.

The number of cats that have died from the outbreak is said to be much higher than the 107 cases of FIP officially reported by the agriculture ministry in the southern part of the island.

Pet cats have been quarantined at clinics in an effort to slow the spread of the virus, while volunteers and veterinarians are trying to treat animals showing symptoms.

Some people who regularly feed stray animals have noticed a decrease in the number of cats on the island, with some even finding dead cats on the streets.

Dinos Agiomamitis, Head of Cyprus PAWS Cats and vice president of Cyprus Voice for Animals stated that 300,000 cats have died since January.

Agiomamitis estimates that a third of cats living in the southern part of the island have died from the virus, with symptoms including fever, abdominal swelling, weakness and aggression.

He added that one of the challenges in documenting cases is that, with so many wild animals on the island known for its cats, it is almost impossible to diagnose and quantify each infection.

Meanwhile, dr. Demetris Epaminondas, vice president of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association added, "Local veterinarians have reported an alarming increase in FIP cases, which started in the capital Nicosia in January and spread across the island within three to four months."

In a blog post, he added that this is the 'first major outbreak ever reported. A second outbreak is also thought to be affecting cat populations around Lebanon, Israel and Turkey.

"The only way to stop the disease is with medical treatment".

Two treatment options are being considered, a drug called remdesivir, which is used for Covid-19 and is closely related to GS-441524, and molnupiravir, an antiviral drug used to treat the disease in humans.

Remdesivir is approved for use in animals in the UK and for import into Cyprus, but its cost, between £2,500 and £6,000 for a cat weighing between 3 kg and 4 kg, led the government to consider a second option.

It was estimated that molnupiravir would cost around £170 per animal, but an application from a veterinary association to authorize its use in cats was rejected in May, as the government argued that human drugs could not be imported into the country for veterinary treatment.