Nicosia: 'Fortunately, the vaccines arrived before Dubai airport closed (from France via Dubai) because of the war, and we were lucky in that,' Senior Veterinary Officer Sotiria Georgiadou stated on Monday during a press conference addressing the measures being implemented in response to the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Georgiadou clarified that the 529,000 vaccine doses received are intended for sheep, goats, and cattle, excluding pigs. She emphasized that while vaccines for pigs have been ordered, additional time is required for their production. In the interim, strict restrictive measures are being enforced for pig farmers, including limited access to facilities, biosecurity protocols such as disinfection, frequent clothing changes, and daily animal checks.
Georgiadou explained that an increase in positive holdings within the infected zone is 'normal and expected,' based on recent laboratory results. Vaccinations for sheep and goats within a two-kilometre radius around affected premises began two days prior, with substantial progress reported.
She assured that nearly all sheep and goat units within the three-kilometre zone have been vaccinated, with private veterinarians involved in the process, utilizing a total of 64,900 vaccine doses. Georgiadou urged strict adherence to the restrictive measures in place, including prohibitions on movement, hunting, and grazing, and emphasized the requirement for police authorisation for specific movements.
In response to inquiries about new positive cases, Georgiadou confirmed that no additional cases have been detected beyond those announced, which were located within the epicentre of the infected area. She outlined procedures for cases detected in vaccinated holdings, which involve culling to prevent spread, and noted the laboratory's ability to differentiate between antibodies from vaccination and natural infection.
Georgiadou reported the completion of culling for the first two herds, with ongoing efforts in other holdings. Animal recording has commenced to facilitate compensation processes in the Aradippou area, with updated data expected soon. She also addressed the protocol for potential cases outside the current zones, indicating that similar measures, including zone delineation and related restrictions, would be implemented based on the area's specifics.