A severe outbreak of bluetongue has been detected in a livestock unit in the community of Pera Orini in the province of Nicosia, the first for 2026. This is the third consecutive confirmed front of the disease on the island in less than a year, which is caused by Serotype 4 (BTV-4) of the virus and is transmitted exclusively through insect-vectors.
The new outbreak occurred in a mixed sheep and goat unit, with a start date of September 7, 2026. The diagnostic tests by the Animal Health Laboratory / Department of Virology of the Veterinary Services with the c-ELISA and Real-time PCR methods on September 14 and 15, where they confirmed the presence of the virus.
In the unit in Pera, with 624 animals, sheep and goats, 39 animals infected with the virus were recorded, as well as 10 deaths.
In contrast to the two previous outbreaks in Paphos (Steni) on 8/10/2025 and Larnaca (Aradippou) on 21/11/2025 where there were no losses, the unit in Pera Orinis experienced a greater burden. In total in Cyprus, the number of infected animals now amounts to 45 cases out of a total of 781 susceptible animals.
Bluetongue is an exclusively viral disease of ruminant animals and is not transmitted to humans under any circumstances. The consumer public can consume milk, meat and all derived livestock products in complete safety.
The virus is not transmitted by animal-to-animal contact. Dispersal is done exclusively by bites of small insects such as gnats/mosquitoes of the genus Culicoides.
The main symptoms in animals are high fever up to 42°C, swelling in the head and mouth, nasal discharge, severe saliorrhea, sores in the mouth, difficulty walking and miscarriages.
The Veterinary Services implement measures to combat insect vectors and recommend to livestock farmers to systematically use approved insect repellents on animals and spray the stables, to keep the animals inside the units during the peak hours of the insects and to remove stagnant water near the farms.
