The head of the Cyprus veterinarians association has dismissed claims that a local mutation of a feline virus has killed as many as 300,000 cats on the island as greatly exaggerated. According to Nektaria Ioannou Arsenoglou, the director of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association, their survey of 35 veterinary clinics indicates a total of only about 8,000 deaths across the island. Arsenoglou argues that the numbers presented by local animal activists and amplified by foreign media outlets “simply don’t add up.”
The local mutation of a feline coronavirus that causes Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is almost always lethal if left untreated. However, Arsenoglou explains that medication can nurse cats back to health in approximately 85% of cases. It is important to note that neither the virus nor its mutation can be passed on to humans.
Treatment for both the “wet” and “dry” forms of the illness is quite expensive, but Arsenoglou expresses optimism that the government will be able to secure more medicine soon. The exact number of feral cats in Cyprus is unknown, but they are generally beloved and have a long history on the island. According to Byzantine legend, Saint Helen introduced cats to Cyprus to control venomous snakes.
Marina Niaou, a Cypriot cat activist, complains that authorities have been slow in searching for affordable medication to tackle the spread of the virus. The mutation first came to the attention of veterinarians and cat caregivers in January of this year, with cases continuing to rise until mid-spring, when they started to level off, according to Arsenoglou.
The veterinary association has set up a task force to monitor the spread of the mutation and keep fellow vets and activists informed about the latest developments. Arsenoglou also mentions that previous epidemics of the feline coronavirus, including one in Greece more than two decades ago, fizzled out without the use of any medication.
To prevent the export of the mutation, measures have been put in place, including mandatory medical check-ups for all felines destined for adoption abroad. It is important to note that this virus mutation is not related to COVID-19.
In conclusion, while there have been reported deaths among cats due to a local mutation of a feline virus in Cyprus, the head of the Cyprus veterinarians association believes that the number of deaths reported by animal activists and foreign media is greatly exaggerated. The association is actively monitoring the situation and is optimistic that the government will secure more medication to treat the virus. Measures have also been implemented to prevent the export of the mutation.