Nine new FMD cases reported in Larnaca district

Eight new cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) have been identified in Livadia and one in Dromolaxia, with more than 7,000 animals culled since the outbreak began, the Veterinary Services said on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference, Veterinary Services spokesperson Sotiria Georgiadou said the new cases involve eight sheep and goat units in Livadia and one in Dromolaxia all within the three-kilometre infected zone.

She added that infected cattle were also found at an illegal site in Livadia, near the original outbreak area within the three-kilometre contaminated zone.

Authorities are currently culling the animals at the site, and Georgiadou said the case will be investigated at all levels.

“Complaints will follow these investigations,” she said, adding that the new cases were expected given the region’s epidemiological conditions.

“This does not surprise us; the entire area is now an epidemiological unit because of the proximity of livestock farms and the local topography,” she said.

Georgiadou emphasised that culling animals in infected units is mandatory under European Union law and not a decision taken by Cypriot authorities.

“Each case concerns a farm, and every farm contains multiple animals,” she said during a phone call on Friday. “It is similar to Covid in the sense that once it spreads, it spreads widely. If even one animal is infected, the entire herd must be culled.”

The Veterinary Services and the agriculture ministry had attempted to limit culling to animals that tested positive by contacting the European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, but their request was rejected.

According to Georgiadou, EU legislation on foot-and-mouth disease allows no exceptions and requires the culling of the entire herd if a single animal tests positive.

Regarding vaccinated animals, she explained that if tests detect antibodies from natural infection, the entire herd must still be culled. Only herds showing antibodies solely from vaccination are exempt.

Vaccinations have already begun in the original infection zone, with animals within a 10-kilometre radius also receiving doses.

Around 7,400 doses have been administered so far, with further vaccinations planned in Nicosia, Famagusta, Paphos and Limassol.

All goats, sheep and cattle in the initial infected area and around Dromolaxia have been vaccinated.

Vaccination campaigns in Athienou and Aradippou have been completed, while other districts are gradually receiving coverage in an effort to contain the virus. Both private veterinarians and official veterinary teams are involved in the effort.

Georgiadou added that vaccines for pigs are still being procured due to high demand across Europe.

The current vaccine targets the SAT-1 serotype, though different serotypes would require new formulations for each species.

She urged farmers to strictly follow biosecurity measures and comply with restrictions in contaminated zones. The public was also advised not to share unverified images or videos of culling operations on social media.

“We hope to contain the virus within Larnaca district, though additional cases may still be identified,” Georgiadou said.

“No one wants to lose their animals, neither farmers nor consumers, but as a member state we are obliged to implement EU legislation.”