1000’s of cats have died in Cyprus, based on specialists who’re warning {that a} extra virulent pressure of a feline coronavirus is inflicting extreme sickness. Individually, dozens of cats have died after being contaminated with avian flu in Poland.

The studies have raised questions on whether or not there’s any connection between the rises in deaths and whether or not, provided that many have pet cats at residence, there’s any proof of an elevated danger to individuals.

The outbreak in Cyprus entails a feline coronavirus – not linked to Covid-19 – that additionally circulates in cats within the UK, however which doesn’t infect individuals. The virus usually causes solely a light abdomen upset, however can result in feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), the place white blood cells turn out to be contaminated, spreading the virus by way of the cat’s physique and triggering an usually deadly inflammatory response within the stomach, kidneys and mind.

Earlier this 12 months, vets reported a sudden enhance within the variety of cats affected by FIP in areas throughout Cyprus, rising from three and 4 PCR-confirmed instances in 2021 and 2022 respectively to 98 instances in January.

Final week, Dinos Ayiomamitis, the top of the Cat Safety and Welfare Society (PAWS) Cyprus, made the dramatic declare that an estimated 300,000 cats had died from FIP since January, though he later clarified that this was a tough calculation based mostly on an estimated 20-30% mortality among the many island’s roughly 1 million cats.

“We haven’t validated these numbers but,” stated Dr Charalampos Attipa, a senior lecturer in veterinary scientific pathology on the College of Edinburgh and one of many scientists investigating the outbreak. He stated the most recent figures confirmed instances had elevated by a a number of of 40, 12 months on 12 months. “Positively the numbers are within the 1000’s, however the actual [number] is difficult to say.”

Both method, Attipa stated the event was “very alarming” and pointed to a extra virulent pressure in circulation. The Edinburgh group has carried out genome sequencing to ascertain whether or not the virus has mutated. If that’s the case, it’s attainable that the pandemic has not directly pushed the emergence of a brand new pressure: since cats will be contaminated with Covid-19, many carry new antibodies that would have pushed the evolution of present feline coronaviruses.

Vets in Lebanon, Turkey and Israel, which even have giant stray cat populations, had been anecdotally reporting comparable will increase, Attipa stated, though there isn’t a proof of an analogous sample within the UK or Europe. The unfold of the virus inside the UK would most likely be slower as there are fewer stray cats and FIP is treatable, though the antivirals can value about £5,000 a therapy.

The British Veterinary Affiliation (BVA) is advising that cats being imported from Cyprus needs to be examined earlier than journey and never moved in the event that they check constructive.

Dr Justine Shotton, a senior vice-president on the BVA, stated: “The reported instances of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in Cyprus are understandably regarding. Nonetheless, FIP is a situation seen in cats within the UK and so whereas checks are ongoing to find out if it is a new pressure of the virus, our present recommendation for cat house owners is to contact their vet if they’ve any issues about their pet’s well being or welfare and focus on any preventative healthcare choices.”

In the meantime, Polish authorities are investigating an outbreak of extremely pathogenic H5N1 hen flu in home cats. As of 11 July, 29 cats had examined constructive for H5N1 influenza from 13 areas of the nation. Signs included respiratory difficulties, bloody diarrhoea, and neurological signs. Eleven of the cats have died and an extra 14 have been euthanised.

Though sporadic infections of H5N1 influenza in cats have beforehand been reported, “that is the primary report of a excessive numbers of contaminated cats over a large geographical space inside a rustic”, the World Well being Group stated.

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Deaths in different mammalian species are additionally more and more being reported, together with pet canine, farmed mink, seals and sea lions.

Dr Gregorio Torres, the top of science on the World Organisation for Animal Well being, stated: “There’s a latest paradigm change within the ecology and epidemiology of avian influenza which has heightened world concern because the illness unfold to new geographical areas and triggered uncommon wild hen die-offs, and alarming rise in mammalian instances.”

Investigations into the supply of the cat infections is constant, however prospects embrace direct or oblique contact with contaminated birds or their environments, and consuming contaminated birds or meals contaminated with the virus. Of the 25 cats for which info is on the market, two lived outside, 18 had been indoor cats with entry to a balcony, terrace or backyard, and 5 had been stored utterly indoors. Seven of the cats reportedly had the chance for contact with wild birds.

Not one of the cats’ house owners seem to have been contaminated. As of 12 July, not one of the 70 individuals who had been involved with cats that examined constructive for the virus had reported signs. For that reason, the danger to cat house owners and vets who’ve been uncovered to contaminated cats is assessed as low to reasonable, and the danger to the overall inhabitants as low.

Nonetheless as a precaution, the European Meals Security Authority has really helpful that house owners hold their cats indoors, and canine on a lead in areas the place intensive circulation of H5N1 influenza in wild birds has been confirmed. International well being organisations are additionally intently monitoring circulating viruses for any indicators that they’re changing into extra harmful to people.