WWith a research project, my lab wants to lay the foundation to realize this combined approach of diagnosis and prevention. This will be done by investigating which variants of the harmless, but causative, felien enterisch coronavirus (FECV) occur in Flanders, which mutations are at the basis of the FIP development, which management measures are most effective to reduce the FECV circulation in shelters and farms, and by which testing strategy this is best supported. Indeed, FIP results from mutations in the viral genome during infection with the endemic felien enteric coronavirus (FECV). However, currently there is a lack of information on the prevalence of FECV in Flanders, and more specifically in shelters and farms where these viruses flourish. Through an extensive survey, the prevalence of FECV in these populations will be investigated via our already developed in-house RT-qPCR. Additionally, the detected feline coronaviruses (FCoVs) will be genetically characterized, and the interrelationship of different variants within and between different groups of cats will be mapped. The resulting knowledge will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different measures to reduce virus circulation in the above-mentioned target groups. In addition to the effect of hygienic measures and testing strategy, the influence of physical distancing between FECV-positive and -negative cats, as well as between cats infected with different variants will be investigated. The measures that prove to be most effective in guiding a group of cats from an endemic FCoV status to an FCoV-low/free status will be compiled in a "good cat shelter and breeding practices" roadmap to make the acquired knowledge available to the general public. Inevitably, several cats will also fall prey to the deadly FIP during this study. This is an opportunity to also genetically characterize the causative FIPV and to compare the obtained sequence with that of the original FECV. This allows us to identify mutations responsible for the switch from FECV to FIPV. The detection of mutations that are specifically associated with FIPV and that distinguish it from the harmless FECV can be used in veterinary practice as a rapid, simple and above all non-ambiguous diagnostic test. Rapid and accurate diagnosis also contributes to better survival rates of individual cats if treatment is undertaken.