To date, 29,731 animals have been culled in Cyprus so far due to foot-and-mouth disease, according to an update from the Veterinary Services, while an official website on the foot-and-mouth disease has been launched.
More specifically, 49 herds have been infected: 46 in Larnaca and three in Nicosia. So far, 28,019 sheep and goats and 1,712 cattle have been culled. As it is noted, on Saturday the culling of approximately 240 more sheep and goats and 150 cattle is expected.
The percentage of infected sheep and goat units stands at 1.79%, while the percentage in terms of animal population is 5.7%. The corresponding figures for infected cattle units are 1.87%, while in terms of animal population the rate stands at 2.2%.
Regarding the first phase of vaccinations, it is noted that vaccination of cattle has been completed for 98% of the animal population, while for sheep and goats it has been completed for 75% of the population nationwide. As for the second dose, it has been administered to 30% of the cattle population and 10% of the sheep and goat population.
The Veterinary Services noted that sampling, tracing, and epidemiological investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment announced on Friday that an official website on the foot-and-mouth disease www.footandmouth.gov.cy has been launched.
The aim, it added, is for it to serve as a point of reference for informing affected livestock farmers, producers and citizens.
Interested parties can find on the website all the necessary information about the disease, the measures in force, biosecurity instructions, as well as the available contact numbers for immediate guidance and reporting of incidents, the Ministry said.
The website also provides information on support to affected livestock farmers, compensation, as well as for the reactivation of units and the reconstitution of livestock.
The general public can also find information on the website.
In addition, there are questions and answers on key issues, as well as the current decrees, the national plan and the relevant legislative framework.
The website will be updated on a continuous basis, depending on the evolution of the epidemiological situation, the Ministry concluded.
