Nicosia, Cyprus. The culling of about 6,000 animals affected by foot-and-mouth disease is still pending, Pancyprian Veterinary Association president Dimitris Epaminondas said on Wednesday. He also said the second phase of the national vaccination programme is expected to be completed within the next two to three months.
Response measures reviewed
Epaminondas said the measures were discussed at an expanded meeting at the presidential palace, where authorities reviewed the ongoing response to the outbreak and agreed on further steps to contain the disease.
Culling follows EU regulations
He said the planned culling follows European Union regulations requiring the removal of animals in confirmed infected units.
Epaminondas said the president had ordered the immediate culling of animals in affected units to strengthen containment and surveillance within 10-kilometre protection zones around new cases in Nicosia and Limassol.
Operations await burial sites and teams
Approximately 70,000 animals have already been culled since the outbreak began, with a further 6,000 still awaiting the procedure.
“These will be carried out as soon as possible once suitable burial sites are identified and the necessary teams are ready,” he said.
Security cited as top priority
Epaminondas said the safety of personnel involved in the culling operations remains the top priority.
He said operations will not proceed without police presence to ensure security and coordination on the ground.
“The protection of the personnel carrying out the killings is the most important criterion,” he said.
