Mass culling as more FMD cases confirmed at cattle unit in Dromolaxia
Veterinary authorities confirmed on Thursday that a case of foot-and-mouth disease has been detected at a cattle unit in Dromolaxia, prompting the immediate culling of the entire herd in accordance with disease control rules.
The infected unit, which holds around 500 animals, lies just outside the 10-kilometre surveillance zone previously established as part of containment measures in the Larnaca district.
The detection was made during ongoing epidemiological investigations and laboratory testing carried out by the Veterinary Services.
It is the second cattle farm affected during the current outbreak, with the other 21 confirmed cases so far involving sheep and goat farms.
Under established protocol, all animals at the unit will be culled to prevent further spread of the highly contagious virus.
Speaking on Alpha TV, veterinary services spokeswoman Soteria Georgiades urged strict adherence to containment measures and movement restrictions.
“All those involved must follow the decrees and provisions and stop unnecessary movement in the affected areas,” she said.
Authorities sought flexibility from European health authorities before ordering the destruction of the entire herd.
Georgiades said officials had made a final appeal during a videoconference on Wednesday with the European commission’s directorate-general for health.
“As absurd as it may sound, we made a final attempt,” she said.
“We analysed the situation and what we are doing and asked them to consider the possibility of culling only the animals testing positive.”
“We were told that the provisions of the legislation are specific and do not provide for a derogation and nothing other than the culling of the herd,” Georgiades added.
Additional protection and surveillance measures remain in force, including a 3-kilometre protection zone and a 10-kilometre monitoring perimeter restricting livestock movement and agricultural activity.
Agriculture minister Maria Panayiotou is expected to brief the Cabinet on the situation and present support measures for affected farmers as the culling operation proceeds.