Foot-and-mouth outbreak grows as more farms hit and animal deaths pass 7,000

The foot-and-mouth outbreak in Cyprus continues to spread, with authorities confirming nine new infected livestock units and warning that more than 7,000 animals have now been culled in an effort to contain the highly contagious disease.

Officials from the Cyprus Veterinary Services said the latest cases were detected in eight sheep and goat farms in Livadia and one additional unit in nearby Dromolaxia.

All the new infections fall within the three-kilometer restricted zone surrounding the original outbreak area, something officials said they had expected given the conditions on the ground.

“This does not surprise us,” said veterinary services spokesperson Sotiria Georgiadou during a press briefing. “The entire region is now effectively treated as one epidemiological area because farms are located very close to each other.”

Illegal livestock site uncovered

Authorities also revealed that infected cattle were discovered at an illegal livestock site in Livadia, located just a short distance from the first outbreaks.

The facility was operating without registration and outside the official livestock database, according to officials.

The infected animals are now being culled and the case is under investigation.

“You understand that complaints will be filed once the investigation is completed,” Georgiadou said.

Mass culling required by EU rules

Officials stressed that the mass culling of animals in infected farms is not a decision taken locally but a legal requirement under European Union rules.

Even if only one animal tests positive for the virus, the entire herd on that farm must be destroyed to prevent further spread.

Cyprus had asked the European Commission whether exceptions could be made so that only infected animals would be killed. But Brussels rejected the request, saying the legislation allows no exemptions.

The rule also applies to animals that were vaccinated but later infected through natural transmission.

If laboratory tests show that antibodies come from the vaccine alone, the herd is considered safe and culling does not proceed.

Vaccinations expanding nationwide

Meanwhile, vaccination efforts are intensifying as authorities race to contain the outbreak.

So far, about 7,400 vaccine doses have been administered to sheep, goats and cattle.

Vaccinations in the initial infection zone in Larnaca are now nearly complete, while additional vaccinations are underway within a 10-kilometer radius of newly detected cases.

Authorities have also vaccinated animals in major livestock areas such as Athienou and Aradippou.

The campaign is now expanding to other districts including Nicosia, Paphos, Limassol, and the Famagusta District area.

Officials hope the virus can still be contained within the Larnaca district, though they warned that more positive cases may still emerge there.

Shortage of pig vaccines

Veterinary authorities are also trying to secure vaccines for pig farms, but demand across Europe is currently very high, making supplies harder to obtain quickly.

The vaccines currently in use in Cyprus target the SAT-1 strain of the virus, a specific variant affecting cattle, sheep and goats.

Public urged to avoid misinformation

Officials also urged farmers and the public to strictly follow biosecurity rules, especially in the restricted zones where movement of animals is tightly controlled.

At the same time, authorities warned against the spread of unverified photos and videos on social media showing the culling and transport of animals.

Veterinary officials said the process is being carried out with full transparency and strict environmental safeguards to ensure soil and water are not contaminated.