foot and — Seven ‘green point’ rubbish tips in the Larnaca district have been closed until further notice due to a serious outbreak of foot and mouth disease. District governor Angelos Hadjicharalambous confirmed the closures on Sunday, emphasising the need for public safety as the situation develops.
The tips, located in Aradippou, Dromolaxia, Troulloi, Athienou, Kofinou, Pyrga, and Anaphotia, will remain shut until new data regarding the disease is evaluated. An additional tip in Larnaca operated by the municipality remains unaffected by the closure.
Governor Hadjicharalambous mentioned that the public would be informed about the reopening of these facilities based on upcoming assessments. “The main goal of suspending the ‘green points’ operation is to protect and ensure as little movement as possible to prevent further spread of the virus,” he noted.
This decision aligns with the central government’s recent ban on the movement of animals and animal feed across the country, a measure aimed at containing the outbreak. The disease’s epicentre has been identified in the Larnaca boroughs of Oroklini and Livadia, where approximately 300 animals from a contaminated farm in Livadia are set to be culled.
In addition to the culling, all products from the affected farm, including meat and milk, have been seized. The disease, as outlined by the United States’ animal and plant health inspection service, poses a severe threat to cloven-hoofed animals like cows, pigs, sheep, goats, and deer, leading to symptoms such as fever, lameness from blisters, excessive drooling, and a sudden drop in milk production.
Despite its severity, it is important to note that foot-and-mouth disease does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, and it is distinct from hand, foot, and mouth disease, a common illness in children caused by a different virus. The governor has urged the community to understand the critical nature of the situation and to cooperate with the measures being implemented.
