Cats in Cyprus are being given human COVID-19 drugs in an effort to gradual the unfold of a feline mutation of the virus that has left hundreds of animals lifeless on the island.

Cats started getting the drugs on Tuesday, which coincidentally was International Cat Day.

Speaking to The Guardian, Christodoulos Pipis, the federal government's veterinary companies director, mentioned: "We have taken stock of 500 boxes of medication.

"This is the primary batch of two,000 packages that might be made obtainable. Each one comprises 40 capsules, so we're speaking a few whole of 80,000 tablets."

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), which can't be transmitted to people, has been spreading among the many island's cats since January.

It just isn't associated to COVID-19 however will be handled with a medicine referred to as Lagevrio, which is used to deal with coronavirus in people.

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Dinos Ayiomamitis, head of Cats PAWS Cyprus, beforehand informed Sky News the outbreak would have "catastrophic" penalties if it reached the UK.

Mr Ayiomamitis and different animals activists have mentioned the virus has killed round 300,000 cats on the island.

Read extra:Homes wanted after 'inflow' of cats at charityDeadly cat virus may very well be 'probably catastrophic for UK'

Costas Himonas, senior pharmacist on the Cyprus well being ministry, has mentioned 2,000 packages of the drug might be made obtainable to vets incrementally over the following month.

Mr Himonas mentioned there isn't a threat that present pharmaceutical shares might be depleted to the purpose that remedy of any COVID-19 surge in folks could be compromised.

FIP has been round since 1963 and is unfold by means of contact with cat faeces.

If left untreated, it may be deadly for the animals.

Content Source: information.sky.com