Filenews 13 May 2022 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The detection of cases of brucellosis in a bush in the Larnaca district and the whole management of the issue over the last two months leaves the Veterinary Services exposed. Cyprus until today is considered a country free from brucellosis in both sheep, goats and cattle. However, this status does not appear to be maintained, in view of the now confirmed presence of the disease, with the result that it loses, at least temporarily, that privilege. The timing of the outbreak of the disease in Cyprus is not at all favourable, as the challenges for its management are presented in a period of pressures in the market and in parallel with the state's effort to support domestic production in order to cope with a number of other issues, the main one being the increasing cost of production.
Questions arise as to the management by the Veterinary Services of the issue of detecting cases of brucellosis on a cow farm. Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that occurs in epidemic form in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs and other animals. Humans become infected with this disease by direct contact (inhaling airborne particles) or indirect contact (consumption of unpasteurized milk and cheeses) and may show severe and severe symptoms.
However, the risk to wider public health is limited by the fact that it is mainly an occupational disease, which is transmitted through contact with infected animals or materials. It is therefore necessary to take protective measures and to observe rules for the protection of workers in the chain of livestock production and meat production. Meat from infected animals does not present a risk to public health and can be released for consumption, while the milk of infected animals cannot be marketed for consumption.
According to confirmed information provided by "F", on 29/3/2022, the Director of Veterinary Services sent a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture, informing that a sample from a bush in the Larnaca district detected a positive case of brucellosis and that this farm was placed in confinement. This letter states that all the measures envisaged had been taken and that the European Commission was to be informed.
The official briefing of the Commission was finally made on 8/4/2022 with a report of a case of the strain that also affects humans, the brucella melitensis.
Immediately afterwards, on the instructions of the competent minister Costas Kadis, who was deeply alarmed, a meeting was held at the ministry, during which the issue was discussed. When it was found that no satisfactory measures had been taken to address the problem, the Veterinary Services were instructed to proceed immediately to the adoption of all the measures provided for by the relevant legislation and to all appropriate actions to safeguard public health.
A few days later, on 11/4/2022, the Director of Veterinary Services sent a new letter to the ministry, in which he stated that there was confirmation by the General Directorate of Health of the EU for the correctness of the actions of the Veterinary Services, something of course that is disputed since there is still no such official information. In the same letter, which the "F" possesses but cannot, for obvious reasons, make public, it raises in a paradoxical, derogatory and disrespectful tone towards the hierarchy, a question as to the competence, but also the ability of both the Minister and the Director-General of the Ministry to exercise effective supervision and control of the correctness and timely adoption of the measures, as, according to the letter, the matter is specialized and concerns the competence of the Veterinary Services, while any attempt to involve the ministry in the matter, would bring unnecessary disruption and the opposite result.
Two months late
Questions are also raised as to the time of the laboratory examination, since absolutely valid information of "F" indicates that the sample was taken in January 2022 and the test was done more than two months later, while the usual practice is for the examination to be done within 10 days of taking the sample.
At the same time, according to the same information, the Director of Veterinary Services gave, irregularly, permission for the slaughter of infected animals, with the possibility that this meat was released on the market. Although, as mentioned earlier, meat from infected animals does not pose a risk to public health and can be released for consumption, this creates additional concern. It is noted that about 100 cows have already been slaughtered from the infected farm, under the appropriate procedures so that there is no contamination. At the same time, the remaining approximately 400 cows of this unit are expected to be slaughtered.
Privilege is temporarily lost
Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonoses. It causes serious economic losses in livestock farming and poses a risk, due to its transmission to humans, especially for those people who come into contact with infected animals or their contaminated materials and to a lesser extent for public health (occupational disease). The disease is spread throughout the world and especially in the Mediterranean region (Portugal, Spain, France, Greece), the Arabian peninsula, Central Asia, Latin America, Africa and India. In contrast, North America (except Mexico), Northern Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand are considered areas free of the disease.
In Cyprus, this disease has been employed in the past by the Veterinary Services (campaign against brucellosis 1973-1985) with a successful conclusion. From 1985 to 1999, there were sporadic isolated cases due to the illegal movement of animals through the green line, which eventually led to its spread throughout the island, resulting in the launch of a new control program by the Veterinary Services in cooperation with the United Nations. With the entry of Cyprus into the European Union, the programme to combat brucellosis is co-financed.
The disease in Cyprus is due to Brucella melitensis, with the main host being sheep and goats and secondarily cattle. Brucella abortus, which has cattle as its main host, has been appearing in Cyprus since 1932. Through these programs, Cyprus succeeded in declaring the entire country officially as brucellosis-free. As a result of the latest events, Cyprus is expected to temporarily lose this privilege.
The Minister of Agriculture is worried
The Minister of Agriculture himself is extremely concerned about the issue and expects full and correct information (something that has not been done so far) from the Veterinary Services in order to form an image as to the effective management of the situation and the containment of the disease, with the aim of achieving its eradication as soon as possible and returning Cyprus to the previous regime as soon as possible.
