Eleven additional livestock units in Livadia and Oroklini have tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease, bringing the total number of infected holdings to 22. Authorities have begun distributing 529,000 vaccine doses that arrived from France on Saturday, as culling, sampling and vaccinations continue within the designated infected zone.
Latest laboratory findings
Senior Veterinary Officer Sotiria Georgiadou stated that eight new cases were identified in Livadia and three in Oroklini, following completed laboratory tests. All infected units are located within the already designated contaminated zone, a development she described as expected and encouraging.
Initially, approximately 13,000 animals had been identified as infected. The latest cases concern around 2,000 animals in Livadia and about 200 animals in three small units in Oroklini. According to the Veterinary Services database, which records all adult tagged animals, the figures remain dynamic. Depending on ongoing births, the total number of infected animals could reach 16,000.
Culling, sampling and field operations
Ms Georgiadou confirmed that culling operations in the first two small ruminant units in Oroklini were expected to be completed by today, with further actions continuing in additional holdings. A specialised team is already operating in Aradippou.
She noted that Cyprus has been in a period of lambing and kidding, with young animals that would have been sent to slaughter ahead of Easter.
Since 15 December, the Republic of Cyprus has implemented daily preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease. Following the confirmation of the first case in the government-controlled areas, coordinated actions were launched. More than 513 individuals, including the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, are stationed daily at the “Zenon” Coordination Centre in Larnaca and at control points to contain the outbreak within the infected area.
Vaccine arrivals and distribution
A total of 529,000 vaccine doses arrived in Cyprus from France on Saturday. Veterinary Services arranged for their storage under appropriate conditions and began distributing them to private veterinarians from Saturday evening for the commencement of vaccinations.
By yesterday, 27,000 doses had already been delivered for use in 21 small ruminant units located within a two-kilometre radius of pig farms in the infected zone.
Sampling, vaccinations and culling continue in accordance with the established programme.
Ms Georgiadou emphasised the importance of strict adherence to biosecurity measures by livestock farmers to protect their property and support containment efforts. Authorities aim to limit the virus within the contaminated area in order to conclude culling procedures and gradually restore more stable conditions.
Source: Cyprus News Agency