Authorities have set up 14 disinfection points in response to foot-and-mouth disease concerns, with five more to be installed in the protection zone, officials said on Wednesday.
Sotiria Georgiadou, spokeswoman for the Veterinary Services and senior veterinary officer, told a press conference at the “ZINON” Coordination Centre of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Larnaca that no new cases have been detected at this stage and all samples tested so far have returned negative.
She described it as positive that no new cases had emerged.
Georgiadou said animals were culled in Livadia on Wednesday, so far involving cattle, and that culling of goats and sheep would begin from Thursday.
She added that the Game and Fauna Service issued a decree on Wednesday banning hunting in the affected areas.
The Agriculture Minister has prepared a proposal on compensation, which will be submitted to the Council of Ministers, she said.
Regarding vaccines, Georgiadou said they are expected to arrive within the week. She said discussions would be held with experts who are due to arrive, and authorities would examine how the vaccines should be administered.
Spraying at crossing points began when a case was identified in the occupied areas, she said. The spraying stopped at the end of January after sampling was completed and results were negative, with no indication that it should continue.
On the investigation, Georgiadou said information had been given to the police. She said suspicion at this stage centres on hay and added that hay is being collected from all premises for testing.
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