Foot-and-mouth disease has appeared in occupied Cyprus, triggering alarm in the free areas and heightened vigilance to prevent the virus from crossing the Green Line.
The disease is one of the most serious and infectious zoonotic diseases worldwide, causing intense concern not because it directly threatens humans but because it can critically hit livestock farming and a country’s economy.
The viral disease affects cloven-hoofed animals, mainly cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, as well as wild ungulates such as deer, antelopes, buffalo and wild boar.
The virus spreads extremely easily, either through direct contact between animals, through the air, or via contaminated vehicles, equipment, feed, or even the footwear and clothing of people moving between farms.
Infected animals show high fever and characteristic blisters in the mouth, tongue, lips and hooves, causing pain, lameness and inability to feed.
Milk production drops sharply, whilst in young animals the disease can prove fatal. There is no specific treatment – management relies on prevention, immediate isolation of cases, strict biosecurity measures and, in some cases, vaccination.
For humans, foot-and-mouth disease is not considered a serious threat. Transmission is extremely rare, and, when it occurs, symptoms are usually mild, such as low fever and mouth irritation.
However, humans can play a decisive role in spreading the virus by unwittingly transferring it from infected areas to clean ones.
This danger has put Cyprus on heightened alert in recent weeks following confirmation of foot-and-mouth cases in the occupied areas.
The disease’s appearance in livestock units in the pseudo-state led to extensive measures, including quarantines and mass animal vaccinations, whilst European monitoring and assessment mechanisms were also activated.
In the free areas, the Republic’s Veterinary Services have significantly strengthened preventive measures, with strict checks along the Green Line, vehicle disinfections at crossing points and increased surveillance of livestock units.
The goal is to prevent any transmission of the virus, as such a development would have serious consequences for domestic production and exports of animal products.
The situation today is still under control – no cases have been recorded in the free areas – but authorities stress the risk has not disappeared.
The situation requires continuous vigilance, strict adherence to biosecurity measures and a responsible attitude from everyone, livestock farmers and citizens alike.
Foot-and-mouth disease serves as a clear reminder that on an island with intense movement and sensitive geographical balance, prevention remains the strongest “vaccine”.
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