Deadly Feline Coronavirus Variant has been Present in the US for more than a Decade

Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that a dangerous feline coronavirus variant linked to a deadly 2023 outbreak in Cyprus has actually been present in the United States for more than a decade. The study, published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, analyzed archived samples from 2013 and 2016 and found genetic features associated with both high transmissibility and severe disease in cats.

Feline coronavirus is usually mild, but some strains can mutate into feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a frequently fatal illness if untreated. Researchers identified changes in the virus’s spike protein that may influence how easily it spreads and how dangerous it becomes. While large outbreaks have not occurred in the U.S., experts warn that growing shelter and free-roaming cat populations could increase the risk.

The findings highlight the need for better surveillance, rapid diagnostic testing, and early treatment. Researchers say improved preparedness is essential to prevent future large-scale feline disease outbreaks.