Authorities in Aradippou, Athienou, Livadia, and Dromolaxia-Meneou are intensifying emergency biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease following confirmed cases in Livadia and Oroklini.
Aradippou Mayor Christodoulos Partou said on Monday that two of seven planned disinfection tanks have been completed in the area. Farmers are expected to fill these tanks with chemical treatments today to ensure all vehicles entering livestock zones are decontaminated.
“Because the two livestock units have various entrances, certain roads have already been blocked so that farmers access their facilities through these specific seven points,” Partou said.
In areas where tanks cannot be installed, state officials and Game and Fauna Service officers are manually spraying vehicles. Farmers have also treated their premises and placed chemically-soaked mats at entrances for additional security.
The mayor noted that while measures are being taken in Troulloi, the scattered nature of the farms there makes closing roads more difficult. Livestock owners are currently awaiting further instructions from the Veterinary Services.
In Athienou, Mayor Kyriakos Kareklas confirmed that 14 of the 20 entry points to local farms have been closed. Six disinfection tanks are being constructed to treat vehicle tyres, with manual spraying and chemical-soaked sponges used in the interim.
Dromolaxia-Meneou Deputy Mayor Kyriakos Sotiriou said the municipality has provided water tankers and traffic cones to help farmers maintain disinfection mats and block dirt tracks. Further disinfection tanks are scheduled for construction on Tuesday morning, while remaining side roads will be sealed with earth barriers.
In Livadia, Deputy Mayor Marios Armenis said the municipality has provided lighting and spraying equipment to support the exclusion zone around livestock areas.
Larnaca Municipality has advised the public that visitors to the municipal cemetery in Tersefanou must exclusively use the Klavdia-Tersefanou road to comply with prevention measures.
The Larnaca District Self-Government Organisation (EOA) suspended operations at all seven Green Points in the district starting Monday, February 23. The EOA stated the move is a precaution to prevent the spread of the virus and protect public and animal health.