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Mediterranean ‘Island of Cats’ Faces Disaster, COVID Kills 300K Felines

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  • An outbreak of feline coronavirus is killing off cats on a Mediterranean island identified for its strays.
  • Some 300,000 are estimated to have died since January.
  • A feline drugs specialist stated that its scale “has by no means been seen in dwelling or reported historical past.”

Coronavirus is wreaking havoc on cat populations in Cyprus as tons of of 1000’s have died since January in what may very well be the largest-ever outbreak.

Stray cats are an iconic characteristic of many components of Southern Europe and the Center East. They lounge on partitions, absorb the solar on the street, and sit on out of doors tables. In Cyprus, it’s estimated that there are as many cats as there are people, and it issometimes referred to as the ‘island of cats.’ It’s stated that felines had been dropped at the island to hunt venomous snakes. 

However 300,000 have died after a coronavirus outbreak that causes feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), per media reviews quoting Dinos Ayiomamitis of animal rights teams Cat Paws Cyprus and Cyprus Voice for Animals.

FIP signs embrace fever, belly swelling, and going off meals. It’s nearly at all times deadly with out remedy, in response to Cornell College. ​​

It might’t be unfold to people. 

A domestic cat suffering from Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is in quarantine at a veterinary clinic in Nicosia on June 20, 2023. A new strain of feline coronavirus, Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) -- which is not transmittable to humans -- is wreaking havoc on the prolific cat population of Cyprus.

A home cat in quarantine at a veterinary clinic in Nicosia on June 20, 2023. A brand new pressure of feline coronavirus, Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) — which isn’t transmittable to people — is wreaking havoc on the cat inhabitants of Cyprus, identified by some because the “island of cats.”

Photograph by CHRISTINA ASSI/AFP through Getty Photographs



Simply 107 instances have formally been recorded, however Ayiomamitis argued the true quantity is far larger. His calculation is predicated on an estimated 20% to 30% mortality fee amongst Cyprus’ a million cats, a lot of them strays, in response to Channel 4 FactCheck.

The outbreak “began within the capital metropolis of Nicosia in January and unfold all through the entire island inside three to 4 months,” Demetris Epaminondas, vice-president of the Pancyprian Veterinary Affiliation, instructed the Day by day Mail. 

Veterinarian Kostis Larkou tends to a cat suffering from Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), at clinic in Nicosia on June 20, 2023.

Veterinarian Kostis Larkou tends to a cat affected by Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), at clinic in Nicosia on June 20, 2023.

Photograph by CHRISTINA ASSI/AFP through Getty Photographs



Its scale “has by no means been seen in dwelling or reported historical past,” Danièlle Gunn-Moore, a feline drugs specialist on the College of Edinburgh, instructed the Telegraph. She stated that there had been an increase in reviews of useless cats within the streets 

Gunn-Moore added that it might imply a stronger pressure of FIP is circulating and pointed to anecdotal proof of outbreaks in Lebanon, Turkey, and “doubtlessly” Israel.

Domesticated cats are being held at clinics to keep away from an infection, the Day by day Mail reported.

Cyprus’ relationship with cats goes again to the early days of human historical past. Bones of domesticated cats have been discovered close to human graves that date again 7,000 to 7,500 BC.

 A monastery on Cyprus is devoted to ‘St. Nicholas of the Cats’ was as soon as stated to have two bells; one to folks name to prayer and a second to name the cats, per Reuters.