New cases of foot and mouth disease have been detected in eleven livestock units in Livadia and Oroklini, said today Sotiria Georgiadou, Senior Veterinary Officer, adding that the total number of infected farms has now risen to 22.
Initially, she continued, the number of animals identified as infected stood at 13,000, and with the new cases, there are now 2,000 animals affected in Livadia and approximately 200 animals across three small livestock units in Oroklini. “Depending on new births, the total number of infected animals may reach 16,000,” she added.
Regarding the 529,000 vaccine doses that arrived in Cyprus from France on Saturday, she said that distribution to private veterinarians for vaccinations began yesterday evening.
Speaking at the “Zinon” Coordination Centre in Larnaca, Ms Georgiadou stated that “based on all completed laboratory tests so far, the number of infected units has reached 22, after eleven additional units were identified, eight in Livadia and three in Oroklini. The positive, and expected, development is that all units are within the infected zone,” which she described as encouraging.
She added that authorities will continue with culling, sampling, and vaccinations. “By today, culling in the first two sheep and goat units in Oroklini where positive cases were detected should be completed. We will continue with the remaining ones, while a team is already operating in Aradippou.”
Responding to a question, she said that “in Livadia, approximately 2,000 animals have fallen ill. The figures we provide are dynamic, and the Veterinary Services database includes all adult and tagged animals,” noting that the numbers currently given are approximate.
She also said that “this is a period when animals are giving birth and there are young animals that would normally have been sent to slaughter for Easter.”
Ms Georgiadou further noted that “since 15 December, the Republic of Cyprus has taken daily preventive measures” to contain the spread of foot and mouth disease.
Following the detection of the first case in the government controlled areas, coordinated actions were taken, and more than 513 personnel, along with the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, have been working daily at the “Zinon” Coordination Centre and other checkpoints to contain the disease within the infected area.
“It is very important for each livestock farmer to protect their property and follow all the biosecurity measures that have been indicated. We must face the situation realistically and work together,” she stressed.
She also said that “yesterday, Saturday, 529,000 vaccine doses arrived in Cyprus from France and the Veterinary Services ensured they were stored under proper conditions. Distribution to private veterinarians began immediately last night.”
Additionally, by yesterday 27,000 vaccine doses had already been delivered for use in 21 sheep and goat units located within two kilometres of pig farms in the infected area.
In response to another question, she reiterated that “sampling, vaccinations and culling are continuing according to the programme.”
The encouraging development, Ms Georgiadou said, is that “the new cases were identified within the infected area and if we manage to contain them there, there is a strong chance of limiting the virus and eventually ending the culling procedures. We will continue vaccinations and gradually move toward a more stable situation.”
Source: CNA
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