Nicosia, Cyprus. Special scientific committee head Stavros Malas said poor biosafety practices in the movement of animals are behind the spread of foot-and-mouth disease into new areas. He said early indications suggest negligence in animal handling, though how the virus reached Nicosia district remains unclear.
Malas links spread to animal movement practices
Attending a meeting of the epidemiological group on Monday, Malas said early indications pointed to failures in disinfection and handling during the movement of animals. He said that moving lambs and goats without proper disinfection and then loading piglets could leave behind outbreaks, adding that piglets are more vulnerable.
Positive results reported from analysed units
Malas said that of approximately 490 units analysed, 101 returned positive results. He said the figure was close to 20-22% and roughly in line with expectations, adding that the way livestock areas had been organised had worsened conditions.
Commission focuses on domestic market for restocking
Malas said the commission is only discussing the domestic market regarding restocking. He said the preferred approach is to build livestock farming on the basis of local breeds, which he said are more resilient.
Farmers express reluctance to rebuild operations
Pancyprian pig farmers association president Petros Kailas told the Cyprus News Agency that around half of Cyprus’s livestock farmers are not expected to rebuild their operations following the outbreak, citing reluctance to return to the sector. He said it is difficult to re-enter an industry without knowing when similar outcomes may occur again.
Concerns over differing management approaches
Kailas raised concerns about divergent disease management approaches on either side of the divide, saying the republic is pursuing elimination of the virus while Turkish Cypriot farmers are following a vaccination strategy and will live with the virus.
How do you think differences in disease management strategies could affect efforts to control foot-and-mouth disease?
