Greenbriar Animal Hospital

In the very end of June 2011, there was a serious outbreak of Virulent or Systemic Calici Virus at the Fairfax County Shelter. The disease originated from a large group of cats that were rescued from a hoarder. This disease mutated from the "regular" calici virus.  The regular calici is the "C" in your cat's distemper vaccine (HCP, FVRCP, etc.), so your cat should be protected from the regular calici virus if it's distemper vaccines are up to date. However, the new mutation is a much more serious disease and the regular vaccine does not provide protection aganist systemic or virulent calici.

There is a vaccine against the mutated strain, but recent evidence suggests that it is not very effective. Each outbreak seems to be a new mutation; this may be why the special calici vaccine does not seem to help much.

Systemic calici virus is extremely contagious.  It is spread mostly via fomites but can be airborne, too. A fomite is something not alive (clothes, shoes, dishes, bedding, toys,   brushes, etc.). Humans can bring this home to their family cats if they are exposed to a sick cat, for example!  Bleach is the only known disinfectant for Systemic Calici Virus (bleach solutions must be made up fresh each day to be effective).

Symptoms are usually quite severe and often include typical upper respiratory virus-type signs like runny eyes, runny nose, sneezing, fever, poor or no appetite, and lethargy. In addition, many cats develop oral ulcers - sores inside the mouth and on lips and tongue. Other symptoms can occur, too.  Systemic Calici Virus is often fatal and there is no successful treatment other than supportive care. Youngsters (kittens and very young adults) usually fare better than adults and older cats if they get this disease. Most cases have occurred in outbreaks like this one, where cats are housed together in a very stressful situation, but cats living in regular homes can get it, too.

What to do to help protect your cat? Right now, if you have any contact with cats outside your home, especially in a rescue, feral, or shelter situation, please take these precautions. First, do not allow your cats to come into contact with any of your clothing or footgear until they have been washed with bleach (footgear should be left outside or in a spot like your garage where the cats cannot get closer than 10 feet). Take a complete shower before you allow your cats to approach you. If any of your cats shows any signs of illness, call your veterinarian immediately.

For prevention, do your best to keep your cats indoors right now and for the rest of July (if there are further outbreaks this time frame will be extended). Now is not a good time to take in a stray cat (unless you don't have any cats of your own). Also, report any sick-looking cats that you see outdoors to Animal Control right away.