UK records first case of deadly cat virus, FIP, following Cyprus outbreak
A lethal virus, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), responsible for thousands of cat deaths in Cyprus, has now appeared in the UK. Recent reports attribute up to 300,000 cat fatalities this year in Cyprus to FIP, a mutation of the feline coronavirus (FCoV).

Dr. Jo Lewis, a feline veterinary surgeon, highlighted to Sky News that the virus spreads rapidly in densely populated cat environments, like rescue centers. She also noted that FIP transmission could occur via human interaction, including through items like grooming brushes and litter scoops.
UK veterinarians have confirmed the country's first known FIP case. Professor Danielle Gunn-Moore from Edinburgh University warns that this strain, F-CoV-23, is particularly virulent, infecting all cells instead of localizing. Contrary to usual FCoV behavior, where FIP develops due to individual cat mutations, F-CoV-23 is directly transmittable between cats.
Professor Gunn-Moore advises cat owners to be vigilant for symptoms like distended bellies, breathing difficulties, lack of appetite, and neurological issues, including wobbliness and seizures. This caution is especially pertinent for those who have adopted cats from Cyprus or live near shelters housing such rescues.
FIP in cats can be treated with two Covid-19 antivirals, which have proven effective against this strain.
Most Read News
-
British premier says 24,000 migrants removed from UK sin
-
French presidential hopeful Le Pen barred from seeking o
-
Russia says it began talks with US on rare earth metals
-
Spain to push for use of frozen Russian assets to fund U
-
Vehicle of missing US soldiers recovered from swamp in L
-
EU foreign policy chief calls on US to put more pressure
-
Italy’s demographic crisis deepens, new data show
-
Trump calls repeated coverage of Signal leak story ‘old
-
Qatar faces international scrutiny over human rights vio
-
Khamenei warns of ‘firm retaliation’ to any ‘external ag