The foot-and-mouth disease situation in Cyprus is stabilising and no new positive cases have emerged from checks carried out so far, Cyprus Veterinary Association president Demetris Epaminondas said on Saturday.
All samples taken from Limassol and the most recent samples from Nicosia tested negative, Epaminondas said. A countrywide surveillance campaign is now set to begin across all livestock units to check antibody levels from vaccines and determine whether the virus is present in areas not identified during the first surveillance round.
Vaccinations are continuing countrywide and are expected to be completed by the end of August or by early to mid-September at the latest, he said. Vaccine supplies are sufficient for the current vaccination cycle, with no shortage reported. The next delivery of pig vaccines is awaited, after which future needs for additional orders will be assessed.
Cullings have been completed in all designated units except those granted an exemption — fat-tailed sheep and red cows, Epaminondas said.
Summer weather conditions are reducing the virus’s ability to survive in the environment and therefore its transmission risk, he said. “At this moment there is a stabilisation of the situation,” Epaminondas said, adding that biosecurity measures, vaccinations and climatic conditions “will certainly help stabilise the picture for a period and keep us ready for autumn.”
Asked whether any organised effort to restock culled animals had begun, Epaminondas said no such effort is currently under way, with the matter being handled by the Special Scientific Committee for the reconstruction and upgrading of the livestock sector. “If we remain at these numbers, some small restocking from abroad may be needed — but it could also be avoided,” he said.
(information from CNA)