Dromolaxia, Cyprus. Veterinary authorities confirmed on Thursday that foot-and-mouth disease has been detected at a cattle unit in Dromolaxia, prompting the immediate culling of the entire herd under disease control rules.
Detection and location
The infected unit holds around 500 animals and lies just outside the 10-kilometre surveillance zone previously established as part of containment measures in the Larnaca district. The detection was made during ongoing epidemiological investigations and laboratory testing carried out by the Veterinary Services.
Outbreak status and response
It is the second cattle farm affected during the current outbreak, with the other 21 confirmed cases so far involving sheep and goat farms. Under established protocol, all animals at the unit will be culled to prevent further spread of the highly contagious virus.
Calls for compliance and EU consultations
Speaking on Alpha TV, Veterinary Services spokeswoman Soteria Georgiades urged strict adherence to containment measures and movement restrictions. “All those involved must follow the decrees and provisions and stop unnecessary movement in the affected areas,” she said.
Authorities sought flexibility from European health authorities before ordering the destruction of the entire herd. Georgiades said officials had made a final appeal during a videoconference on Wednesday with the European commission’s directorate-general for health. “As absurd as it may sound, we made a final attempt,” she said.
How will the movement restrictions affect you in the affected areas?
