The Mediterranean Island nation of Cyprus, known as the “Island of Cats,” is home to over one million felines, outnumbering its human population. This nickname has its roots in history, as archaeologists discovered cat remains as burial objects in a 9,500-year-old tomb on the island in 2004. This finding proved that cats have been living alongside Cypriots for millennia, making Cyprus one of the earliest places where cats were domesticated as pets. Cats hold a special place in the hearts of the Cypriot people, who consider them sacred animals. When visiting Cyprus, one can easily encounter cats roaming the streets, and they sometimes even venture into hotels!
However, a recent unfortunate event has emerged. Over the course of a few months, one million cats on the island have died from being infected with “Feline Infectious Peritonitis” (FIP). Since the outbreak earlier this year, the death toll has exceeded 300,000. Additionally, this strain of feline plague has mutated into a highly contagious virus, with neighboring countries like Turkey, Lebanon, and Israel also reporting cases.
Veterinarians in Cyprus have noted that while this virus does not transmit to humans, its transmission among cats is extremely potent. It rapidly spread across the entire island within 3 to 4 months of the first case being reported in the capital city in January. Infected cats typically display symptoms such as fever, abdominal swelling, weakness, and, in some cases, aggressive behavior. Although only 107 cases have been officially reported, veterinarians and animal welfare activists estimate that the actual number of diagnosed cats is likely much higher. Given the prevalence of stray cats all over Cyprus, it is nearly impossible to diagnose and record all infected felines.
Currently, there are two drugs available that can treat and contain the spread of the virus. One of them is the oral drug “Molnupiravir,” developed by the American pharmaceutical company Merck for COVID-19, but it has not yet been authorized for animal treatment locally. The other drug, “GS-441524,” which is similar to Remdesivir, has been approved for animal use in the UK and can be imported to Cyprus under certain restrictions. However, its cost ranges from 3,000 to 7,000 euros, making it expensive and difficult to obtain through regular channels.
What was once a paradise for cat lovers has turned into the “Island of Dead Cats,” prompting animal welfare organizations to urgently call on relevant authorities to allow the use of COVID-19 drugs for feline treatment. Experts also emphasize the need for the public to take this “Feline Coronavirus” outbreak seriously.
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