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A strain of Coronavirus has killed more than 300,000 cats on the island of Cyprus, and could be responsible for the deaths of many more if it reaches Britain.
Both stray and domestic cats have been killed by feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a coronavirus strain, since January. It does not pose a threat to humans but can be fatal for cats, if left untreated.
Cats are a common site in Cyprus, also known as the 'island of cats', which is home to the earliest evidence of the animal's domestication.
Many of the cats on the eastern Mediterranean island are strays, and it's not uncommon for them to wander into people's gardens, sit in restaurants and loiter near garbage bins.
The number of cats dying from the outbreak is said to be significantly higher than the 107 cases of FIP officially reported by the agriculture ministry in the southern part of the island.
Domesticated cats have been quarantined at clinics in a bid to slow down the spread of the virus, while volunteers and vets attempt to treat animals showing symptoms.
Dinos Agiomamitis, Head of Cats PAWS Cyprus and vice-president of Cyprus Voice for Animals states that 300,000 cats have died since January.
He estimates a third of the cats living to the south of the island have died as a result of the virus, with symptoms including fever, abdominal swelling, weakness and aggressiveness.
He added part of the challenge around documenting cases was that, with so many strays on the cat-loving island, diagnosing and tallying up every infection is almost impossible.
Dr Demetris Epaminondas, vice-president of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association, added that: 'Local veterinarians have been reporting an alarming increase in FIP cases, which started in the capital city of Nicosia in January and spread throughout the whole island within three to four months'.
In a blog post, he added that this is the first 'outbreak of this extent' to ever be reported.
A second outbreak is also thought to be affecting the cat population is nearby Lebanon, Israel and Turkey.
Both stray and domestic cats have been killed by feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a coronavirus strain, since January. It does not pose a threat to humans but can be fatal for cats, if left untreated.
Cats are a common site in Cyprus, also known as the 'island of cats', which is home to the earliest evidence of the animal's domestication.
Many of the cats on the eastern Mediterranean island are strays, and it's not uncommon for them to wander into people's gardens, sit in restaurants and loiter near garbage bins.
The number of cats dying from the outbreak is said to be significantly higher than the 107 cases of FIP officially reported by the agriculture ministry in the southern part of the island.
Domesticated cats have been quarantined at clinics in a bid to slow down the spread of the virus, while volunteers and vets attempt to treat animals showing symptoms.
Dinos Agiomamitis, Head of Cats PAWS Cyprus and vice-president of Cyprus Voice for Animals states that 300,000 cats have died since January.
He estimates a third of the cats living to the south of the island have died as a result of the virus, with symptoms including fever, abdominal swelling, weakness and aggressiveness.
He added part of the challenge around documenting cases was that, with so many strays on the cat-loving island, diagnosing and tallying up every infection is almost impossible.
Dr Demetris Epaminondas, vice-president of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association, added that: 'Local veterinarians have been reporting an alarming increase in FIP cases, which started in the capital city of Nicosia in January and spread throughout the whole island within three to four months'.
In a blog post, he added that this is the first 'outbreak of this extent' to ever be reported.
A second outbreak is also thought to be affecting the cat population is nearby Lebanon, Israel and Turkey.
