Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus continued vaccinations against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on Friday, expanding coverage to livestock farms within the 10-kilometre surveillance zone as authorities intensified containment measures.
Vaccination programme expands beyond protection zone
Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said vaccinations of cattle in the three-kilometre protection zone have been completed, and inoculations are now underway in the wider 10-kilometre area.
A total of 23,500 vaccine doses have been distributed to private veterinarians, while procurement procedures are continuing for vaccines covering pigs.
Testing ongoing with negative results
The ministry said sampling and laboratory testing are continuing, with all results to date remaining negative.
It added that confirmation has been received from the European Union reference laboratory for FMD, corroborating the findings of the national veterinary laboratory.
EU briefings planned for farmers and officials
Later on Friday, European Union experts are scheduled to meet organised groups of cattle, sheep and goat farmers to brief them on the vaccination programme and biosecurity measures.
The meeting follows a briefing held on Thursday afternoon at the joint rescue coordination centre’s Zenon headquarters, where Panayiotou and senior veterinary officials updated EU animal health commissioner Oliver Varhelyi on actions taken to address the outbreak.
Nationwide lockdown measures for livestock farms
The vaccinations are part of a national emergency response after veterinary services imposed a strict nationwide lockdown on livestock farms to prevent further spread of the virus.
Authorities have banned movement of cloven-hoofed animals, grazing, non-essential visits and most transport to and from farms, with limited exemptions under special permit to protect animal welfare and food supply chains.
Economic impact highlighted
Foot-and-mouth disease does not pose a direct risk to humans but can have severe economic consequences.
How do the current restrictions affect your work or daily life in relation to livestock farming?
