Nicosia, Cyprus. Preventive measures against foot-and-mouth disease are being intensified at livestock units in Aradippou, Athienou, Livadia and Dromolaxia–Meneou after confirmed cases at premises in Livadia and Oroklini. Local officials described steps including disinfection tanks, road closures and vehicle spraying.
Disinfection tanks and access controls in Aradippou and Troulloi
Aradippou mayor Christodoulos Partou told the Cyprus News Agency after visiting livestock areas in Aradippou and Troulloi that two of seven planned disinfection tanks had been completed as of Monday.
He said farmers were expected within the day to place the required disinfectant solutions in the tanks so that all vehicles heading to their premises would pass through them.
Partou said that because the two livestock areas have multiple access points, certain roads have already been closed to ensure farmers enter and exit through the seven designated points.
Where installing disinfection tanks was not possible, he said the state, in cooperation with officials from the Game Service, has been spraying vehicles entering livestock areas.
Partou said the difficulty in Troulloi is that premises are scattered across different parts of the community, making road closures challenging.
He added that farmers have taken the necessary steps to protect their units and animals and are awaiting further guidance from the veterinary services on whether additional measures will be required.
Measures implemented at Athienou livestock units
Athienou mayor Kyriakos Kareklas said he visited the livestock area together with the head of the Athienou cattle breeders’ association to inspect the situation after measures were implemented at the municipality’s 30 livestock units.
Among the measures taken are the placement of disinfectant-soaked mats for vehicles entering the units and the presence of personnel to spray vehicles, he said.
Kareklas said 14 of the 20 access roads to the livestock area have been closed, while six disinfection tanks are to be constructed for vehicles to pass through and have their tyres sanitised.
What measures have been put in place in your area to reduce the risk of foot-and-mouth disease spreading?
