New vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease have been received, while no further positive farms have been detected so far through sampling, President of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association and member of the Scientific Advisory Committee, Demetris Epaminondas, told CNA on Tuesday.
Epaminondas said the vaccines have been received and are expected to be cleared through customs, after which planning will follow on where they will be distributed and how the vaccination process will be carried out.
‘We know where the vaccines need to go, but planning must always be done in advance,’ he said, adding that the process is currently at this stage.
He also said planning is under way for the next round of sampling in the Limassol area, to be followed by further planning for additional sampling.
At the same time, he said preparations are being made for vaccinations to be carried out and completed in areas where they have not yet been completed.
Regarding sampling, Epaminondas said no further positive farms had been identified from the tests carried out so far. Samples were taken on Monday and Sunday, he noted, adding that results are usually released within one to two days.
‘So far, we have had nothing positive. The results remain negative and we are waiting to see the next ones,’ he said.
Regarding animal culling, Epaminondas said the process has been completed and there are no pending cases. However, he added that a decision is still pending on a small holding with Cyprus red cattle, a traditional local breed, noting that it has not yet been decided how the case will be handled.
He concluded that the management of the issue is currently at a stage where several matters are under way, with planning and other issues being resolved gradually, adding that not everything can be announced at this point.
Thousands of animals, including cattle and sheep, were affected in several livestock units initially in Larnaca and then in Nicosia district, following a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, first reported on February 20. This followed an FMD outbreak in the island’s Turkish-occupied areas last December. Authorities proceed with a nationwide vaccination campaign of animals to contain the virus, while EU rules require all animals in the infected areas to be culled, bringing about a series of repercussions in livestock farming and other agricultural economic activities. Halloumi, Cyprus’ top agricultural export product, has been spared. Experts reiterate that FMD is not dangerous to humans.