Elizabeth Georgiou
The fight against foot-and-mouth disease continues to escalate in the Larnaca district, with the situation taking increasingly worrying proportions in recent weeks. According to the latest data, confirmed cases now involve dozens of livestock farms, heightening anxiety among both farmers and Veterinary Services officials.
As of Tuesday, infections had been recorded in 37 farms, including three cattle units, while the rest involve sheep and goats. Approximately 1,500 cattle and 24,000 sheep and goats are currently located on affected premises.
The scale of the problem becomes even clearer when looking at animals within surveillance zones. Around 50,000 sheep and goats are located within a three-kilometer radius of infected areas, while another 45,000 are found between three and ten kilometers away, bringing the total under monitoring to roughly 95,000 animals, a significant share of Cyprus’ national flock of about 450,000.
For cattle, authorities estimate about 12,000 animals within the three-kilometer zone and another 17,000 in the wider perimeter, meaning nearly 30,000 cattle are under surveillance nationwide out of a total population of roughly 85,000.
Veterinary services have intensified vaccinations, inspections and culling operations at infected farms as the disease spreads across the district.
Mass vaccinations underway
Amid mounting pressure, authorities are rolling out a nationwide vaccination program aimed at building immunity and limiting symptoms. According to Nikos Papakyriakou, director general of the Cyprus Cattle Breeders Association, all cattle on the island are expected to be vaccinated within the week, while vaccinations for sheep and goats should be completed within about ten days.
Vaccines for pigs, whose population in Cyprus reaches approximately 300,000, are expected to arrive by the end of the week.
Targeted culling under discussion
Culling of infected animals continues, but authorities are now examining a more targeted approach. Following a broad meeting at the Presidential Palace last Sunday, officials are considering whether entire herds should automatically be destroyed when only limited cases are detected or whether euthanasia should focus solely on confirmed infected animals, provided neighboring farms are not placed at risk.
Papakyriakou stressed that decisions cannot be one-size-fits-all. “It’s not black and white, kill or don’t kill. Each case must be evaluated,” he said, noting that infected animals suffer severely, requiring careful scientific management.
Discussions are also underway on supporting farmers later through financial compensation and programs to help replenish lost livestock once farms recover.
Authorities estimate that full disinfection and a gradual return to normal operations could take six to seven months before animals can begin to be reintroduced to affected farms on a pilot basis.
Investigation into controversial video
At the same time, authorities are investigating the circulation of a video allegedly showing the culling process. Investigators are examining whether any offenses may have been committed following its publication. Although faces appear blurred, recorded conversations are audible and are being analyzed as part of the probe.
The case is being handled by a special investigative team formed to address the outbreak, involving officers from the Larnaca Police Directorate.
Meanwhile, scientists are working to identify the outbreak’s “ground zero” by analyzing laboratory data and antibody development in animals to determine when infections first appeared at each farm, a key step in reconstructing the chain of transmission.
Experts explain that the disease initially presents mild symptoms that gradually worsen. Animals showing antibodies indicate older infections, possibly dating back weeks, while the absence of antibodies suggests more recent transmission.
Under animal health legislation, any offenses identified during investigations could carry penalties of up to six months’ imprisonment or fines of up to €2,000.
Meat market fears grow
Concern is also mounting across the meat industry, with professionals warning that the crisis could extend far beyond livestock farms and affect the entire supply chain, from butcher shops and meat processors to hotels and restaurants.
Butchers’ Association president Costas Livadiotis described the situation as highly unstable, saying the full extent of the damage remains unclear.
“There is great concern. It’s like a war, like a fire that is still spreading,” he said.
Industry estimates suggest early price increases of around 10% have already been recorded for lamb and goat meat, with further rises likely depending on how the outbreak evolves.
Replacing lost livestock through imports will not be simple or immediate, Livadiotis warned, noting that sourcing animals abroad requires time, available markets, infrastructure and significant cost.
If production declines further, the effects could ripple across the economy, impacting catering businesses, hotels, food suppliers and processing companies through higher prices and supply shortages.
He described the outbreak as potentially the most serious blow to Cyprus’ livestock sector in decades, urging authorities and stakeholders to treat the situation with the utmost seriousness.
