With a view to protecting domestic production and providing the public with valid information, the Veterinary Services, in full coordination with the European Commission and state agencies (Department of Agriculture, Department of Forests, Game Service, Civil Defense), are implementing an emergency action plan to reduce foot-and-mouth disease.

Although the disease does not affect human health or is transmitted through food, strict adherence to biosecurity measures and early reporting of symptoms are imperative.

Here is a detailed guide with questions and answers about symptoms, restriction zones, compensations and contact numbers for affected producers.

Does it affect human health?

No, it is a disease that affects only breeding animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs).

Is it transmitted to humans through food consumption?

Foot-and-mouth disease is not transmitted in any way to humans or through food consumption.

What are the symptoms?

Cattle: fever, decrease in milk production, stomatitis with salivation, lameness, blisters in the oral cavity, udder, limbs.

Sheep and goats (usually mild): fever, lameness, deaths of young animals, usually no lesions in the oral cavity.

Pigs: fever, lameness, blisters on the tongue, muzzle, limbs.

What do I do if I suspect a case?

According to Article 6 of the Animal Health Law 109/2001, any entrepreneur or person who has animals in his custody, care or possession must notify the Director or the District Veterinary Officer or veterinarian or the nearest police station as soon as possible, of any increased mortality or morbidity of his animals or the suspicion of the occurrence of a notifiable disease.

What is prohibited and what is allowed?

In case of foot-and-mouth disease, the movement of animals and products is prohibited without the approval of the Veterinary Services.

Which phone numbers can livestock farmers and people call for questions?

For more information, please contact the local District Offices:

NICOSIA DISTRICT VETERINARY OFFICE, Telephone: 22805241

LIMASSOL DISTRICT VETERINARY OFFICE, Telephone: 25819512

LARNACA DISTRICT VETERINARY OFFICE, Telephone: 24821275

FAMAGUSTA DISTRICT VETERINARY OFFICE, Telephone: 24824555

PAPHOS DISTRICT VETERINARY OFFICE, Telephone: 26821260

What are the biosecurity measures that livestock farmers must implement every day?

1. Effective fencing of farms by excluding the possibility of access to stray animals and rodents.

2. Disinfection of all wheeled vehicles that are going to enter and exit the livestock unit.

3. Disinfection of persons who are going to enter and exit the farm.

4. Use of personal protective equipment for visitors and appropriate subsequent management.

5. Record the origin and previous unit visited by the vehicles and visitors.

6. Supply of feed to farms that come from approved countries only.

7. Thorough control of the origin of the feed and documentation of it through the relevant accompanying documents.

8. Cleaning and effective disinfection of farms.

9. Systematic collection of manure and drainage of liquid collections.

10. Systematic inspection, control and surveillance of livestock for possible occurrence of suspicious symptoms leading to Foot-and-mouth Disease.

11. Immediate notification of the Veterinary Services of any suspicion of an animal disease.

Are livestock farmers aware of the biosecurity measures they must implement?

Yes. It is one of the few daily actions they have to implement from the first day of operation of their farm.

Will livestock farmers be compensated?

Yes. Livestock farmers who comply with the biosecurity measures will be fully and immediately compensated at current market prices.

When was the first case detected?

The first call and briefing of the Health Centers was made on 19/02/2026 by a breeder in Livadia, Larnaca, who informed that he showed symptoms compatible with foot-and-mouth disease. A District Veterinary Officer immediately went to the farm, where a clinical examination was carried out and the corresponding samples were taken for examination in the virology laboratory. Samples reacted positively to foot-and-mouth disease and were confirmed 20/2/2026.

On 20/02/2026, after the announcement of the incident in Livadia, 2 farms located in the livestock area of Oroklini, informed the KYs that for a few days their animals had symptoms which, according to their private veterinarian, were due to gangrenous mastitis. A veterinary officer went to the farm, where a clinical examination was carried out and samples were taken, which reacted positively to foot-and-mouth disease and were officially confirmed on 21/2/2026. Upon confirmation of the cases, the breeders were informed, they were given instructions to continue taking care of their animals, while at the same time they were given the relevant form with the instructions for the actions they had to take, including the exclusion of anyone from entering their units.

According to the laboratory results of 21/2/2026, the virus entered the above farms about 2 weeks ago without being declared. Given that the virus pre-existed and was not declared, the police were informed and are investigating the possibility of concealment and non-timely information on the part of their breeders and veterinarians.

What actions were taken from 19/2/2026 to 22/2/2026

1. It was faithfully followed that the Emergency Action Plan for the treatment of category A diseases provided for by Regulation 2020/687 provides.

2. Disinfection points have been installed at the entrance of the following livestock areas: Livadia, Oroklini, Aradippou (2 points), Athienou (4 points), Troulloi, Kellia, Kalo Chorio, Dromolaxia and Klavdia. The goal is to contain the virus in the province of Larnaca. Places that do not have disinfection will be excluded. In order to strengthen and expand the points, staff and crews have already been called in from the Department of Forests, Agriculture, Game Service and Civil Defense.

3. The licenses of all the officers of the Veterinary Services were revoked and everyone was put on full alert so that the whole situation could be closely monitored.

4. All livestock farmers in the zones around all infected farms were informed.

5. Sampling was carried out and is constantly being carried out from neighboring farms of neighboring units of Livadia and Oroklini, which reacted positively, which is considered normal.

6. Milk from all contaminated farms is destroyed.

7. The process of burying the infected animals began in consultation with co-competent authorities (digging pits, etc.)

8. The list of farms located within the 3 km zone has been sent to the Cyprus Cheesemakers Association.

9. The transport of milk from the units located in the restricted zones is allowed only after the relevant permission of the Veterinary Services and in compliance with the disinfection protocols.

10. Inspections on livestock farms continue and the recruitment of private veterinarians has been arranged.

11. The Directorate-General for Health of the European Commission has been contacted and has been asked to consult the Veterinary Expert Group as soon as possible and guidance on the possibility of vaccinations has been requested.

12. A nationwide ban on the movement of breeding animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs) and animal feed was implemented without the prior approval of the Veterinary Services. Movement to the slaughterhouses is only possible with permission.

13. The Department of Agriculture made recommendations to the Local Authorities for the creation of wheel baths in the livestock areas under its jurisdiction and requested corresponding measures from the District Administrations of Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos. The cost will be covered by the YGAAP. It is noted that specifications of the roller baths have already been sent (on the basis of these recommendations, the construction of wheel baths has already begun in Aradippou).

14. The investigative procedure was initiated to investigate the incidents of the breeders (Oroklini) 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.

15. Carrying out administrative checks on the supply and supply of livestock farmers with feed (hay and silage) in addition to the checks of the Veterinary Services to identify the source of the virus.

So far, within the 3-kilometer zone, 6 livestock units have been identified with positive cases, which are neighbouring.