Three new foot-and-mouth disease cases emerged in Athienou on Wednesday, putting livestock farmers in one of Cyprus’s most important agricultural areas on high alert. The island’s total culling toll approached 60,000 animals and the EU extended trade restrictions to mid-June.
The new cases were detected in goat and sheep units with a combined capacity of 2,500 animals. Athienou had previously established seven disinfection points across the wider area and closed all roads leading to its livestock zone following the disease’s appearance in the occupied areas last December. Some 30 livestock premises operate in the area, housing around 15,000 cattle and 20,000 sheep and goats.
Outbreak status
The Veterinary Services laboratory had confirmed 108 infected units by Wednesday: 13 cattle units (nine in Larnaca, four in Nicosia), 92 sheep and goat units (67 in Larnaca, 25 in Nicosia), and three pig units in western Nicosia.
The infected units account for 9.5% of the total adult sheep and goat population, 2.8% of total cattle, and around 7.89% of total pigs, according to the Veterinary Services.
The services said the rise in confirmed cases in recent days was expected, as intensive sampling is continuing across all units within the infected zones in Nicosia and Larnaca. The number of units returning negative laboratory results within those zones has also increased in parallel.
Culling
By Wednesday, 38,927 sheep and goats and 2,247 cattle had been culled. In the pig sector, the culling of 16,644 pigs across two units had been completed, while the process was under way for a further 7,839 pigs at a third unit, with completion expected on May 1.
Vaccination
The second phase of cattle vaccination had reached 81%, while sheep and goat coverage stood at 64% of the total animal population, the Veterinary Services said.
Vaccination of all cattle and sheep and goat units in Famagusta district has been completed. In Larnaca, cattle vaccination is complete, with 1.5% of sheep and goat units remaining. In Nicosia, completion rates stand at 84% for cattle and 69% for sheep and goats.
All 21 pig units within restriction zones — defined as within 10 kilometres of confirmed cases — have received at least a first vaccination dose. Four units in Larnaca’s restriction zones have also received a second dose. Second doses for all units that have received a first dose across Cyprus are due to be completed by May 20, 2026.
Purebred animals
A decision on whether to exempt or cull red cows and fat-tailed sheep in Larnaca that tested positive for foot-and-mouth will be taken on the basis of documentation of their purebred status, in cooperation with the Agriculture Department and taking into account their share of the total native breed population. Authorities will also assess the risks and benefits of any decision to retain or cull them.
EU restrictions extended
The EU issued a new decision on April 28 extending foot-and-mouth restriction measures until June 15, 2026. The decision also stipulates that unrestricted trade in animals and animal products will require either three months to have passed since the culling or slaughter of the last vaccinated animal.