Authorities in Cyprus are sustaining a rigorous state of vigilance as they continue to monitor the potential spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral illness affecting cloven-hoofed animals. The heightened alert comes three weeks after the initial detection of the disease in Lapathos, within the Famagusta district, where three cases were subsequently confirmed. While no further outbreaks have been reported since these initial instances, the island’s veterinary services, in conjunction with international partners, are implementing a comprehensive suite of preventative and surveillance measures to safeguard the agricultural sector.
The initial outbreak was identified in late December at a farm in the village of Ayios Sergios, also in the Famagusta district. In response to this development, a veterinary emergency team dispatched by the EU Commission arrived in December to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the detected cases. Concurrently, efforts to contain the disease are being spearheaded by the veterinary services of Cyprus, with crucial collaboration extending to the British Bases and, notably, the Foot and Mouth Research Institute in Ankara.
A significant component of the ongoing containment strategy involves a multi-phased vaccination programme targeting livestock. Christodoulos Pipis, the head of veterinary services, confirmed that the initial phase of cattle vaccinations in the North has been successfully concluded, with a second phase scheduled to commence imminently. Furthermore, Pipis indicated that vaccinations for small ruminants, encompassing sheep and goats, are slated to begin shortly. These vaccination efforts are a cornerstone in building herd immunity and mitigating the risk of transmission.
Parallel to the vaccination drives, surveillance protocols have been substantially amplified. Veterinary officers are now conducting intensified monitoring of farms situated within a three-kilometre radius of the buffer zone, a critical demarcation line. This enhanced scrutiny involves the systematic collection of biological samples, which are then subjected to rigorous laboratory testing to detect any latent presence of the FMD virus. Livestock farmers have been unequivocally instructed to adhere to stringent preventative practices on their premises, underscoring the shared responsibility in disease control.
The British Bases have also reinforced their commitment to preventing cross-border contamination by instituting precautionary disinfection measures at the Pergamos and Strovilia crossings. These actions are designed to create an additional layer of biosecurity, particularly in areas that facilitate movement between different regions. While the focus remains on the affected areas and the buffer zone, authorities are diligently working to ensure the protection of the island's free areas, where no confirmed cases have been identified to date. The ongoing vigilance and proactive interventions reflect the profound economic and social implications of an FMD outbreak, reinforcing the imperative for a coordinated and resolute response.