The cat virus epidemic in Cyprus killed – according to conservative estimates – 8,000 domestic cats. Other data indicate that up to 300,000 animals were killed by the disease. Cyprus became the center of this “cat plague”, and not without reason – Aphrodite Island is often called the “Island of Cats”. The density of cats here is exceptionally high. One and a half million of them live in the northern part of Cyprus alone.
By the way, Cyprus is considered the place where cats were domesticated. Until recently it was believed that this happened in Egypt 3-4 thousand years BC, and those who worshiped cats Egypt was the cradle of domestication of one of the oldest animals associated with humans. However, we now know that this happened at least 2,000 years ago, and the cat became associated with humans when they began gathering supplies that attracted rodents. This did not necessarily happen in Egypt, but rather throughout the Middle East and the Fertile Crescent, and perhaps the oldest domestic cats come from the Mediterranean.
The tomb of a man buried with a cat discovered at the beginning of the 21st century comes from Cyprus, undoubtedly homemade. The age of the tomb is 9.5 thousand years.
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Stray cats are a common sight in Cyprus everywhere on the island. They often wander near litter boxes, come into contact with each other, and transmit the pathogen to domestic cats. One of the animals coming from this Mediterranean island became infected, and upon arrival in the United Kingdom, this cat was sent for isolation and tests. However, Britons fear the F-CoV-23 virus could spread to their beloved pets.
Feline coronavirus has two forms: Feline enteric coronavirus (FECV)Which affects the intestines and Feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV). This peritonitis usually results in the death of the animal. Cats are infected mainly through feces, but the virus can also be transmitted through saliva. The virus is not airborne, and is not volatile, but it has a very long lifespan, up to several weeks. The virus can also be transferred to their clothes, shoes, or hands, especially when cleaning garbage cans.
