Paliometochos, Cyprus. Veterinary services reported the first confirmed case of foot and mouth disease in a pig farm in Paliometochos in the Nicosia district on Wednesday, bringing the total number of infected livestock units in the Republic to 84.
Case identified in pig farm
Veterinary services said the incident was identified after a sample test at the farm, prompted by signs exhibited by a number of the 4,000 animals there.
The case led to the creation of a new safe zone to the west of Nicosia.
Additional positive units confirmed
As testing and sampling continue, five more positive sheep and goat units were confirmed in Yeri, along with one sheep and goat unit in Dali and three units in Dromolaxia.
Authorities said 61 of the 84 infected units are in the Larnaca region.
Culling continues in Nicosia and Larnaca
Culling procedures are continuing in Nicosia and Larnaca, with around 1,358 sheep and goats and 190 cattle culled so far this week.
Measures are set to continue this week.
Vaccination coverage reported
Veterinary services said the second case of cattle vaccination has reached 73.5 per cent, with 56.3 per cent coverage for sheep and goats and 84 per cent for pigs in areas of Nicosia and Larnaca.
How do you think the new safe zone west of Nicosia will affect local farming operations?