The infection rate of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remained stable on Wednesday, with a total of 42 cases recorded in the Republic of Cyprus as further cullings were carried out in Dromolaxia, Geri, and Livadia.
- At least 70 cows have been culled in Dromolaxia and Livadia. As of Tuesday, the total number of animals slaughtered stands at over 16,000, including 1,160 cows and 15,000 sheep and goats.
Veterinary services spokesperson Sotiria Georgiadou reported that the vaccination rate has exceeded 85 per cent of the cattle population nationwide, with 49.3 per cent coverage in sheep and goats. “We have set timelines and plans to better organise our response so we can get ahead of the virus rather than follow it,” she stated.
Despite daily analyses, the number of confirmed cases has not changed since Tuesday. When a new case is identified within a livestock unit, an epidemiological investigation is initiated to assess the spread of the disease.
Georgiadou noted that while some livestock farmers, particularly in Geri, have raised objections regarding the taking of samples, no incidents to block culling have been recorded. “Some farmers reacted to sampling, citing legislation that requires a second vaccination before samples are taken,” she explained.
At least 70 cows have been culled in Dromolaxia and Livadia. As of Tuesday, the total number of animals slaughtered stands at over 16,000, including 1,160 cows and 15,000 sheep and goats.
The Agriculture Ministry has allowed harvesting within a three- to ten-kilometre radius of affected areas from March 12, with the hay collected designated for feeding the remaining livestock. The government is also preparing compensation measures for farmers experiencing financial losses.
Tracing efforts have been expanded across the island, covering incidents from January 1. The first case of FMD in the Republic was detected on February 20, while the first cases in the north were identified in December 2025. Georgiadou emphasised the importance of aligning efforts with Turkish Cypriots to implement similar regulations.
On Tuesday, members of the veterinary committee operating under the bicommunal technical committee on health convened to share updates on the outbreak. Co-chair Leonidas Fylaktou noted that the committee has met at least four times since the first case was detected in the north and remains in constant communication. Reports indicate that the outbreak in Lapathos has been contained, while vaccination efforts in the north are ongoing.
Fylaktou also stated that the Greek Cypriot side has proposed aligning responses by uniformly applying EU protocols. Agricultural organisations have praised the measures initiated by the cabinet to combat the further spread of the disease, describing them as a positive step towards the recovery of livestock farming.
In a recent announcement, President Nikos Christodoulides unveiled a €28 million support plan aimed at ensuring full compensation, income support, and the rapid recovery of livestock production. Advance payments of €3.5 million have already begun, with an additional €24.5 million earmarked by parliament to aid affected farmers.
