The Veterinary Services have launched repeat sampling at a farm in Pachna where cases of foot-and-mouth disease were detected, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Veterinary Officer Natia Kalli said Cyprus livestock authorities have taken into account concerns raised by farmers, adding that no animal culling will take place at this stage.
She confirmed that further sampling is scheduled for today at the affected unit, while additional checks are being carried out at other farms whose owners have agreed to inspections.
No culling decided at this stage
Authorities stressed that the situation remains under assessment and that no definitive conclusions have yet been reached regarding how the outbreak began, which currently involves 12 animals.
Kalli noted that possible transmission routes include human movement, contaminated equipment, or animal transfers without proper biosecurity measures.
She said this indicates that certain biosecurity protocols may not have been fully followed.
Concern over removal of samples
Officials also expressed concern over an incident in which farmers reportedly removed samples taken by veterinary officers during protests at the site.
Kalli said the Cyprus livestock services do not know where the samples are, warning they may still contain active virus material.
She added that such actions could increase the risk of further spread of the disease, given the presence of around 10,000 animals in the wider area.
Call for cooperation from farmers
Authorities urged cooperation from livestock owners to protect healthy animals, stressing that the majority of animals in Cyprus remain unaffected.
“About 90% of animals are healthy,” Kalli said, warning that continued non-compliance could lead to further losses.
Vaccine discussion and official stance
Responding to claims by the farm owner that recent vaccination may have influenced test results, Kalli rejected this possibility.
She said vaccines do not cause infection, but instead stimulate antibody production, adding that the test results are considered conclusive by veterinary authorities.
The investigation into the outbreak remains ongoing.
Source: CNA
Also read: Tension in Pachna: Livestock farmers attack veterinary officials
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