Nicosia: The European Union has announced it will provide 500,000 doses of vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) from its EU antigen bank to aid the Turkish Cypriot community in combating the ongoing outbreak of the disease.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the vaccines are scheduled to be administered in the coming weeks with the goal of preventing the further spread of FMD. As part of a comprehensive strategy, all susceptible animals will be vaccinated. This decision by the European Commission follows an outbreak in the village of Lapathos/Bogazi§i in December of last year. In response, Turkish Cypriot authorities have implemented several measures, including quarantine, animal movement restrictions, disinfection protocols, and biosecurity measures.
The European Commission has supported these efforts through the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, providing diagnostic tests, testing consumables, disinfectants, protective clothing, and other essential materials. Additionally, EU funding has been used to hire private veterinarians to bolster local capacities in containment and vaccination activities.
This initiative is part of the European Union's ongoing collaboration with the Turkish Cypriot community in animal health and disease prevention, enabling a swift and coordinated response to emerging risks. The European Commission remains committed to working closely with local stakeholders to enhance preparedness, response capabilities, and biosecurity measures, all aimed at safeguarding animal health, protecting livelihoods, and preventing future outbreaks.