A group of people approached authorities after which the mal Husbandry Department tested samples from the carcasses and found that the cat deaths were caused by Feline Parvovirus, which does not transmit to humans.
Speaking to , Dr D Ramachandran, Chief Veterinary Officer, Wayanad said that Feline Parvovirus affects cats and vaccines are available to protect cats and keep the virus at bay.
"There were incidents of cat deaths in Mananthavady and Meppadi region of Wayanad district creating pc among the local residents. The officials of the mal Husbandry department visited the spots for epidemiological investigations. The samples were collected and sent to the State Institute of mal Diseases, which confirmed that the deaths were due to Feline Parvovirus. There is no need to worry as this virus does not spread to humans," he said.
A cat owner in Meppadi said that within a span of two-three days, over 13 cats had died in the region.
"We are afraid of these sudden cat deaths amidst coronavirus outbreak. We have informed the Health Department and mal Husbandry department. Officials came here and collected the samples," she said.
( With inputs from ANI )