A deadly and highly infectious strain of coronavirus that killed 8,000 cats in Cyprus has made its way to the UK, scientists have said.
A cat that was brought to the UK from the Mediterranean island was found to be infected, after it developed symptoms and was sent for tests and treatment by its owner.
Scientists have identified a novel strain of coronavirus known as F-CoV-23, which is a hybrid of feline coronavirus and canine coronavirus. It is important to note that this strain is not associated with Covid-19.
Symptoms of this coronavirus in cats typically include mild diarrhea and lethargy. However, in many cases, cats may not display any symptoms at all, making diagnosis and treatment challenging.
Unfortunately, approximately one in ten cases of this coronavirus mutates into feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a severe and often fatal condition. Cats with FIP may exhibit signs such as loss of appetite, jaundice, and anemia.
