Nicosia: Three experts from the European Commission are expected to arrive in Cyprus by Wednesday following a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, to take stock of the situation, as Senior Veterinary Officer Sotiria Georgiadou said in statements to CNA. "Today and tomorrow, we are expecting our colleagues, experts from the European Commission, to arrive in Cyprus to discuss the issue" and decisions will be taken accordingly, she said.
According to Cyprus News Agency, when asked why the veterinary services did not proceed with early animals' vaccination in December when a case was reported in the island's Turkish-occupied areas, Georgiadou explained that until February, the Republic of Cyprus was considered as a region free of the virus, in line with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) provisions. Based on the international organization's rules, once a country is considered to be free of the virus, it does not proceed with vaccinations.
The Veterinary Services had taken other measures such as spraying roadblocks, informing livestock farmers, and taking samples. A spokesperson for the Veterinary Services mentioned that an order for around half a million vaccines had been placed, emphasizing that vaccines are a solution to contain the spread of the virus and prevent it from affecting other areas, which could impact Cypriot products.
Georgiadou noted that the situation is stable at the moment, with 11 cases identified: one primary case regarding cattle in Livadia and the remaining 10 affecting sheep and goat farms in Livadia, Oroklini, Troullous, and Aradippou. The infected area is confined within the initial 10 km surveillance zone established when the first cases appeared in Livadia and Oroklini.
She added that the culling of cows began yesterday and continues today, with the culling of the first sheep and goats in Oroklini also being organized. A total of 13,000 animals are expected to be culled in the coming days. "This process will take a few days. The animals will be assessed so that the farmers and producers can be compensated, and animal welfare provisions will be strictly adhered to," Georgiadou noted, adding that the process takes into account the safety and health of the personnel handling the culling, the mental health of the farmers, disinfection issues, etc.
Regarding the extent to which product exports have been affected, she stated that there are currently no local restrictions for Cyprus and that major countries to which Cyprus exports, such as Canada, Great Britain, and Australia, have not reacted. While the situation suggests some loss in production, it is manageable for the time being.
Sotiria Georgiadou further explained that the financial loss has not yet been estimated and that an assessment is being made to present it to parliament so that the correct procedures for compensating livestock farmers can be followed. She also mentioned that the virus' transmission is both airborne and through products and vehicles, adding that foot-and-mouth disease has recently been recorded in Slovakia and Hungary, as well as in wild cattle in Germany. It remains endemic in parts of Asia, and measures to contain the virus have remained the same due to its mode of spread, virulence, and the losses it causes in livestock and production.