Cyprus has been placed under strict nationwide quarantine after cases of foot-and-mouth disease were confirmed in Livadia and Voroklini, with authorities warning the situation is now “extremely critical”.

The Veterinary Services moved to impose sweeping restrictions after the latest inspections showed the virus had spread rapidly, with new positive cases detected in a series of neighbouring livestock units in the Livadia area.

In a bid to prevent what officials described as a “scorched earth” outcome for the livestock sector, the government has banned the movement of animals and animal feed without prior approval, including transfers to slaughterhouses. Farmers must contact district veterinary offices to obtain permits.

However, authorities fear the measures may have come too late to prevent wider transmission, amid concerns the virus had been circulating in the area for some time, leaving the situation largely out of control.

Emergency Measures for Livestock

To curb further spread, the following measures take immediate effect:

• Movement of sheep, goats and cattle is banned across Cyprus for at least 21 days.
• Livestock units will remain closed.
• Entry to and exit from infected or suspected units is strictly prohibited.
• No slaughtering will take place without special authorisation from the Veterinary Services.

Restrictions will only be lifted following thorough inspections on an area-by-area basis.

After laboratory confirmation of the samples, authorities demarcated a control zone in cooperation with the police.

There are strong suspicions that some livestock farmers concealed cases or failed to notify authorities promptly, allowing the virus to spread unchecked before action was taken. In addition, during the removal of animals, the contracted waste management company was found not to have fully complied with disinfection protocols — a lapse that may have worsened the outbreak and is expected to lead to strict legal penalties.

Despite the dramatic escalation, the start of the fasting period from tomorrow is expected to cushion economic losses. Lower demand for meat will allow authorities to focus on containing the disease without the immediate risk of a food supply crisis, although concern over the future of Cyprus’s livestock sector remains high.

Police Take Statements

Police have begun taking statements from livestock farmers and veterinarians at the affected units.

In a statement, police said farmers in Voroklini reported that animals at their units had shown symptoms for several days. In one unit, symptoms were observed from 14 February, and in another two days later.

Police stressed that failing to promptly inform the Veterinary Services of suspected foot-and-mouth symptoms constitutes a criminal offence.

Source - https://in-cyprus.philenews.com