A serious animal health problem has started in Cyprus. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was found on Friday. It is in Livadia, in the Larnaca area. The Veterinary Services are working quickly. Their main goal is to stop this very contagious sickness. It is a viral illness that hurts farm animals with divided hooves.
Meetings were held on Friday. A plan was made to control the disease. This plan includes killing sick animals. It also means putting many farms in quarantine. This is the first time FMD has been found in this part of Cyprus. However, the disease has been in the north of the island for a few weeks. There are worries that it could spread across the island.
A special zone is now around the farm where the disease was found. This is a 3-kilometre area. No animals or animal products can move in or out. Twenty-three other farms nearby are also in quarantine. Workers are checking farms every day. They are looking for any signs of the sickness. More security measures are at crossing points.
About 300 animals at the infected farm will be killed. They will be buried safely. If more sick animals are found, they will also be killed. Staff have cancelled holidays. Vets are helping in Larnaca.
Officials say that food is safe to eat. FMD does not harm people. Milk and dairy products are safe because of checks. Meat from safe areas is also okay. "We started our rules right away," said an official. This disease will affect the farming economy. It shows how important it is to protect animals and farming.