Nicosia, Cyprus. Eight samples collected on Thursday as part of efforts to contain the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Cyprus tested negative, while remaining animal culls were expected to be completed by the end of Friday, members of the scientific advisory committee said after meeting farming organisations.
Meeting with farming organisations
Committee member and president of the Cyprus Veterinary Association, Dr Demetris Epaminondas, described the discussions with farming organisations as very productive, saying they formed part of the implementation of measures agreed during a meeting at the presidential palace on Tuesday.
He said farming organisations raised a number of questions, some of which were answered immediately, while others would be discussed next week. Weekly meetings with farming organisations have also been scheduled for every Friday.
Culling operations
Epaminondas said discussions were also held with the relevant government departments on outstanding issues, particularly the completion of culling operations in districts where the process is still underway.
He said all remaining culling cases, including those in Pachna, were expected to be completed by the end of the day. He also praised livestock farmers for their cooperation, noting that no problems had been reported so far.
Testing results
Epaminondas said all eight samples collected on Thursday returned negative results, including five in the Nicosia district, two in Larnaca and one in Limassol.
He said there were no additional cases at this stage and that the current testing programme was being carried out as part of contact tracing linked to the most recent cases.
Restrictions and burial site
Questions raised by farming organisations mainly concerned possible relaxations of restrictions, the timetable for such measures and when livestock farming activities could begin to recover.
Epaminondas said these issues would be assessed on a case-by-case basis depending on the epidemiological situation, with some expected to be discussed during the coming week.
Referring to the burial of animals in Kokkinotrimithia, he said an alternative site had been identified and the issue had been resolved. Culling and burial operations there were nearing completion, with no difficulties reported.
