Cyprus has completed culling operations at all 49 foot-and-mouth infected livestock units across the island, the Veterinary Services announced, as farmers battle increasingly desperate conditions inside facilities turned to mud by heavy rainfall.
Nearly 30,000 animals have been lost to the outbreak. According to figures released up to 27 March, 28,516 sheep and goats and 1,910 cattle were culled. The final operation was carried out at an illegal cattle unit in Livadia.
The Larnaca district has been the epicentre of the epidemic since 19 February 2026, accounting for 46 of the 49 infected units. The remaining three were identified in the Nicosia district.
In total, 41 of 2,288 sheep and goat units island-wide were infected — a rate of 1.79% of units, representing 5.7% of the total animal population.
Seven of 373 cattle units were affected, equivalent to 1.87% of units and 2.2% of the cattle population. The illegal Livadia unit is not included in these figures.
The Ministry of Agriculture said no new cases had been recorded in the past 24 hours and that response times had stabilised, with culling now being carried out within 48 hours of a confirmed case.
Conditions on unaffected farms have nonetheless become extremely difficult. Strict movement restrictions confining all animals to their premises — necessary to prevent the virus spreading if any animal tests positive — have left farmers unable to move livestock even temporarily to clean and disinfect their facilities.
Recent heavy rain has turned many premises into muddy swamps, leaving producers caught between protecting public health and maintaining basic hygiene for their herds.
Authorities are pursuing a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance. Cases of concealed animals and illegal movements in breach of the restrictions are already under police investigation.
In one notable incident, a farmer was found to have 109 animals on the premises despite declaring only 30. Farmers who obstruct authorities or keep undeclared animals are automatically excluded from all compensation. Those who comply continue to receive advance payments for income loss and material destruction.
Non-compliance with the restrictions constitutes a breach of the Animal Health Laws. Under Article 13B of the Animal Health Law of 2001 (109(I)/2001), administrative fines of up to €5,000 may be imposed.
The vaccination programme is advancing in parallel. First-dose coverage stands at 98% for cattle and 76% for sheep and goats. Second-dose coverage is at 37.6% for cattle and 10.6% for sheep and goats.
Authorities have called for full compliance, stating that farmer cooperation is the only path to a faster return to normality.