Epidemiological investigations and sampling for foot-and-mouth disease have been completed in the province of Paphos, with negative laboratory results. At the same time, sampling continues in the other provinces, with the aim of completing the statistical sample by next week.
At the same time, tracing and sampling within the infected areas continues. So far, the laboratory results of the afternoon have shown another positive unit. This is a sheep and goat unit in Dromolaxia, within the infected zone. Tomorrow the process of assessing the animals will begin and the killing of the unit, which numbers about 85 sheep and goats, will follow.
Vaccination of pigs has also started today, with priority given to pig farms located within the infected areas. At the same time, the second vaccination of sheep, goats and cattle continues, with vaccination coverage having so far reached 52% of the bovine animal population and 26.5% of the total sheep and goat population.
In the coming days, the epidemiological investigation on the basis of a statistical sample will be completed with a series of sampling by the Veterinary Services, both within the zones and throughout Cyprus, which will more clearly reflect the epidemiological picture throughout Cyprus.
As for the areas within the 3 and 10 km zones in Larnaca and Nicosia, the possibility of detecting additional infected units remains real and, based on epidemiological data, is considered likely. This is a development that is part of the management of the disease within the affected zones.
