With the strategy of local eradication and a gigantic vaccination program initiated by the province of Larnaca, the Republic of Cyprus is attempting to stop the onslaught of foot-and-mouth disease. Within the 10 km surveillance zone, the total number of animals to be vaccinated amounts to 170,801, while 8,000 animals have been vaccinated so far. Specifically, a total of 25.613 cattle, 97.021 sheep and goats and 48.167 pigs will be vaccinated.
The aim of the government and the Veterinary Services is to contain the virus within the boundaries of the province of Larnaca and the eventual recovery of the status of a "free country", a process that, although it can take up to two years, is the only way to save the livestock.
Yesterday, all breeders who are in the zones around all infected farms, whose animals will be vaccinated, were informed.
The vaccination operation, which started yesterday at a cow farm in Aradippou, follows strict geographical planning, after the information they received about the vaccination procedures. In the briefing, it has been explained to producers that meat consumption will continue after vaccination, as well as the uninterrupted production of milk for processing.
It is noted that the slaughter of 263 cattle has been completed and now the appropriate disinfections will be carried out, hay, feed will be destroyed and the slaughter will continue in the remaining 10 units of sheep and goats.
Priority is given to cattle, sheep and goats located in the immediate radius of the polluted area at 3 km. With the completion of vaccinations at 3 km, the crews will expand to the wider zone of 10 km.
As far as pig farming is concerned, the consent of the pig farmers is expected within the day. If the green light is given, a request will be made for the arrival of special vaccines within 10 days.
Meeting vaccine needs is done through a coordinated effort. Specifically, 10,000 doses were delivered yesterday by the Turkish Cypriot side, while another 50,000 doses are expected today, also from the occupied territories. Since the SAT1 serotype detected in the units of Larnaca district is common on both sides. Another 529,000 doses arrive next Saturday directly from Brussels.
Despite vaccinations, the situation remains critical for already infected units. It was decided to kill about 13,000 animals on 11 farms, without prior vaccination, in order to gain time and eliminate the source of transmission. "These animals will be buried according to the protocols, while the facilities will remain closed for at least two months for disinfections," said the representative of the Veterinary Services, Sotiria Georgiadou.
To prevent the spread, the checkpoints are increased from 15 to 21, with a focus on the area of Athienou and Kellia. The Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panagiotou, assured consumers that there is no risk from the consumption of meat and milk, as the virus is completely neutralized during pasteurization and boiling (over 90°C).
"We have secured the exports of halloumi," the Minister stressed, noting that the Government stands by livestock farmers with financial support measures that will be announced soon.
"The Government stands with determination next to the people of production, next to the people of our countryside. No one is left alone and no sector will be left exposed," he said, pointing out that the protection of production and the support of livestock farmers are an immediate priority and are implemented with specific actions and coordinated interventions.
Re-evaluation in 15 days
It is noted that the situation will be re-evaluated in 15 days. Based on the results of the analyses in the units located outside the critical zone, it will be decided whether the vaccination program will be extended to the rest of free Cyprus. To prove that the virus is no longer hiding in the population, strict controls will be required six months after the last vaccination.
Regarding vaccinations, the Minister stated that, according to the information of the experts, no country in the European Union has carried out preventive vaccinations. She, as she said, met with the competent Commissioner requesting the immediate arrival of the vaccines in Cyprus and the prescribed procedure was followed.
It is emphasized that after the detection of a case of foot-and-mouth disease in the occupied areas, the Veterinary Services proceeded with extensive preventive checks for foot-and-mouth disease in the designated zone of three kilometers from the ceasefire line. In this context, 130 tests were carried out and a total of 3,799 samples were collected for laboratory analysis.
Livestock farmers give testimonies for illegal hay trafficking
Meanwhile, the investigations of the investigative team of the TAE of Larnaca regarding the spread of foot-and-mouth disease are at an early stage. The investigative work is particularly complex since dozens of testimonies must be taken from breeders in whose units positive cases were detected, their veterinarians, as well as other animal health professionals, who provide them with services.
The investigations are being carried out at various levels and there is not expected to be a clear direction before the end of the specialized laboratory tests on animals and feed. Under the microscope are the livestock of Oroklini, which is, according to the competent Services, the ground zero, as well as the supply of feed to the units where cases have been identified.
Already, testimonies have been taken from owners of livestock units in Oroklini, who, according to public statements by the Veterinary Services, hid symptoms in their animals. Testimonies were also taken from officials of the Veterinary Services, following public complaints by Oroklini breeders that they did not take the required measures before and after the detection of cases in their units.
According to the laboratory results, on 21/2/2026, the virus seems to have entered the above farms in Oroklini about two weeks ago without being declared. Subsequently, the investigative process was initiated to investigate the incidents of livestock farmers who neglected to act in accordance with Article 6 of the Animal Health Law, to notify the existence of foot-and-mouth disease in their farms.
Animal species Population (3km) Population (3-10km) Total zone 10km
Cattle 9.882 15.731 25.613
Sheep and goats 48,077 48,944 97,021
Pigs 26,093 22,074 48,167
Total 84,052 86,749 170,801
