Larnaca, Cyprus. Authorities say they are cautiously confident foot-and-mouth disease can be contained, while stressing that strict adherence to containment measures is essential due to the virus’s high contagiousness.
Disease and strains
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, pigs and goats, and causes blister-like lesions on the mouth and feet.
The foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) has seven strains or serotypes: O, A, C, Asia1, and Southern African Territories (SAT) 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3.
Outbreak timeline in Cyprus
After outbreaks of FMD were recorded in December 2025 in the north of Cyprus, FMD was confirmed on February 20 this year in the Republic of Cyprus on a cattle farm near Larnaca.
Identification of SAT1 strain
Sotiria Georgiadou, spokesperson for the veterinary services, told the Sunday Mail that the strain in Cyprus has been identified as SAT1, with samples sent to laboratories in the European Union confirming the result.
Neighbouring Turkey has recorded many outbreaks of the SAT1 strain, described as exotic to the region, and it may have originated in East Africa. Authorities in the north of Cyprus have also stated the strain there is SAT1.
A few cases of SAT1 were recently detected on the Greek island of Lesbos, which is not far from the Turkish mainland.
Asked whether there is conclusive proof the disease came to the Republic of Cyprus from the north of the island, Georgiadou said: “Not 100 per cent…it’s conjecture, but pretty solid conjecture.”
Transmission routes highlighted
Georgiadou said the SAT1 strain in Cyprus can be transmitted by intermediaries including humans, hides, hair, wool, hay, straw, packing fabrics, milk, manure and urine, as well as animals such as cats and dogs, rabbits, mice, hedgehogs and birds.
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