BATTLE WITH FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE - HOW TO SAVE CYPRUS' LIVESTOCK FARMING - THE CHRONICLE OF THE CRISIS- Filenews 1/3 by Angelos Nikolaou
Cyprus is facing a serious health crisis in the animal population, as cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed, which has led to the loss of the status of a "free country" from the disease. This development, which was officially communicated to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) on February 21, 2026, has put the Veterinary Services and the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment in immediate mobilization.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that affects two-bred animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs), causing enormous economic damage to the primary sector. Despite the seriousness of the situation for livestock, the authorities assure that the virus does not affect human health, nor is it transmitted through the consumption of meat or milk.
From the moment of confirmation, the strict protocols of the European Union were immediately implemented. Protection and surveillance zones (radius of 3 and 10 km respectively) were demarcated around the infected farms, mainly in the areas of Oroklini – Livadia and Aradippou in Larnaca.
In the infected units, the measure of killing and safe burial of the animals was applied, in cooperation with the Environment Service, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Water Development and the Department of Land Registry. A total of around 13,000 animals found in the 11 infected units will be killed: Five in the Oroklini area, Four in Livadia and one each in Aradippou and Troulloi.
In close cooperation with the European Commission and following recommendations from EU experts, Cyprus immediately launched a vaccination programme. The Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou, had successive meetings in Brussels with the Commissioner for Animal Health, Olivér Várhelyi, and the Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen, ensuring the immediate shipment of 529,000 vaccines from the European reserve.
Vaccinations started on February 25, 2026, with the first 10,000 vaccines from the occupied territories, which were initially granted to them by the European Commission through the Republic of Cyprus, and were immediately made available to cattle units. With the first 10,000, the cattle were vaccinated within a radius of 3 kilometers. Subsequently, after the delivery of an additional 50,000 doses of vaccines from the occupied territories, the cattle within a radius of 10 kilometers from the infected farms were vaccinated based on EU instructions. With the 529,000 doses that arrived from the EU, the vaccination of sheep and goats continues.
At the same time, strict prohibitions were imposed by a relevant notification published in the official gazette of the Republic, for the movement of animals and products within the control zones, as well as people without the approval of the Veterinary Services.
In order to contain the virus and begin the process of regaining Cyprus the status of a free country, faithful adherence to a road map is required. In this context, the following should be done:
Intensive sampling: Laboratory tests continue within the surveillance zones (3-10 km) to identify any new outbreaks.
Completion of vaccinations:
Stage 1: Vaccination of 25,613 cows in the 3-10 km zone.
Stage 2: Vaccination of sheep and goat units within a radius of 2 km around the pigsties, which are located within the infected zone of 3-10 km. In total, within the 10 km zone, there are 15 pig farms.
Stage 3: Vaccination of the remaining sheep and goat units in the 3-10 km zone. A total of 97,021 sheep and goats.
Vaccination of pigs: The process is prepared as the vaccines have been ordered. A total of 48.167 pigs will be vaccinated.
After the end of the vaccinations, the situation will be reviewed and evaluated.
The next day: Support and admissions
The Ministry of Agriculture is in constant consultation with agricultural organizations on the package of compensation and support for the livestock farmers of the infected units.
• Animal imports: The Veterinary Services cooperate with livestock farmers to find solutions by examining the possibility of importing animals from other safe countries, so as not to interrupt production.
• Capital reconstitution: The possibility of activating core units to increase livestock production is being studied, in order to supply livestock farmers with animals of high genetic potential.
Reactivating Units: The Time Horizon
Reopening an infected unit is not immediate. The minimum time depends on strict adherence to the procedures:
Cleaning and disinfection: After killing, this is followed by preliminary spraying, cleaning, collecting and covering the manure for at least 45 days. This is followed by final disinfection.
Control animals: 21 days after the final disinfection, they are admitted to the "control animals" unit (unvaccinated animals) to determine if the virus is still present with any infection.
Risk assessment: The reopening will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the health status of the surrounding units. In other countries, this process took more than 6 months. Reactivation will therefore be taken into account on a case-by-case basis.
Strengthening biosecurity and research
As part of the preventive measures, the Department of Agriculture finances the construction of 85 wheeled baths in livestock areas throughout Cyprus, with a grant of up to €5,000 per point. In addition, spray checkpoints within the contaminated area were increased to 21.
At the same time, the Police are conducting an investigation, as it is estimated that the virus may have been active in the Oroklini area for about two weeks before the official information of the services.
Why there was no preventive vaccination in December?
The chronicle of the crisis: From suspicion in the occupied territories to the spread to the free areas
Cypriot livestock farming remains in a state of emergency after the confirmation of outbreaks of Foot-and-mouth Disease in the Larnaca District. The government is clarifying the landscape around criticism of the management of the disease, while at the same time a police investigation is underway into the possibility of hiding cases that could have limited the spread.
Answering the crucial question of why a vaccination program did not start last December, when there was the first information from the occupied territories, the authorities are clear: Vaccination is applied only in case of a confirmed case. According to EU regulations, no member state carries out preventive vaccination as long as it remains a "disease-free country". Cyprus maintained this status until February, and starting vaccinations earlier would automatically mean losing the country's export status without the existence of a confirmed case within the Republic-controlled areas.
The disease has so far affected 11 units in the areas of Livadia, Oroklini, Troulloi and Aradippou. The financial blow is huge, with the first compensation package estimated at €4.5 million, covering the value of the animals, feed and milk destroyed.
The Government has set up a "firewall" of protection:
"ZENON" Crisis Center: It operates 24 hours a day with the participation of multiple services (Police, National Guard, Civil Defense, Veterinary Services, Department of Agriculture, Department of Forests, Water Development Department, Game and Fauna Fund, Health Services, Land Registry Department, Fire Service).
Blockades: Control and spraying points have been set up at all exits of the livestock areas of Larnaca at 21 points.
Prohibitions: Pancyprian ban on the movement of breed animals, granting permission by Veterinary Services only to slaughterhouses, as well as a ban on hunting in the affected areas.
Human factor: Due to the tragic situation of livestock farmers who see their herds led to burial, nursing officials provide 24-hour psychological support.
Important for the public: The authorities reiterate that foot-and-mouth disease is not transmitted to humans and there is no risk from the consumption of animal products. It is emphasized that compliance with biosecurity measures in all livestock units is imperative for livestock farming.
