Newsroom
Authorities are intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease affecting livestock units in the Larnaca district, with thousands of animals either already culled or scheduled for destruction in the coming days.
According to the Veterinary Services, approximately 1,300 sheep and goats had been put down by Monday night in infected farms located in Aradippou and Livadia. An additional 2,700 animals are expected to be culled by tomorrow as part of mandatory disease-control measures.
Outbreak limited to 22 farms
So far, confirmed cases remain confined to 22 livestock units in Larnaca district. Officials report no new outbreaks beyond these premises. Veterinary Services spokesperson and Senior Veterinary Officer Sotiria Georgiadou described the current situation as stable, noting that laboratory tests and epidemiological investigations continue to yield negative results outside the known cases.
Teams are conducting ongoing sampling and tracing efforts both within the affected zone and in other regions of Cyprus to prevent further spread.
Vaccination campaign underway
At the same time, a large-scale vaccination campaign is progressing within the designated infected zone. Private veterinarians have received an additional 26,000 vaccine doses, enabling coverage of 42 sheep and goat farms in the area. Authorities expect vaccination of all sheep and goats within the affected zone to be completed within the week.
Once the current phase concludes, officials will reassess whether to expand vaccinations to other parts of the island and potentially include cattle in the program.
Compensation and economic impact
Parallel to disease-control operations, authorities are assessing the market value of livestock, feed, hay, and milk from infected units. Milk from affected farms is being destroyed and recorded. These evaluations will form the basis for compensation payments to livestock farmers whose animals and products are being eliminated.
Officials acknowledge the financial strain on producers but stress that strict containment is necessary to protect the wider livestock sector.
Legal framework and mandatory culling
Veterinary authorities emphasized that the culling of infected herds is not optional. Under animal health legislation and specific regulations governing foot-and-mouth disease, destruction of infected animals is compulsory once laboratory confirmation is obtained.
Animals that test positive after vaccination will also be subject to culling.
Laboratory oversight and public concerns
Addressing public skepticism, the Veterinary Services underscored that their laboratory operates under full accreditation, undergoes daily checks, and is subject to annual audits. It maintains direct communication with the national reference laboratory and participates in inter-laboratory testing procedures.
Officials warned that any incorrect result would immediately trigger notification to the European Commission and suspension of the laboratory’s authorization to issue findings, evidence, they say, of the system’s strict oversight.
They also urged the public to report any suspected cases promptly, stressing that both confirmed cases and suspicions are investigated and traced.
State of emergency
Authorities describe the situation as an emergency but remain cautiously optimistic. The outbreak is currently confined to a zone between 3 and 10 kilometers around the affected area.
Officials argue that rapid containment, though painful for those directly impacted, is essential to prevent a nationwide spread that could devastate Cyprus’ livestock industry.
Further decisions regarding the expansion of vaccinations and additional measures are expected within days.
