Cyprus’s foot-and-mouth disease situation is under control, with the outbreak in retreat, according to Dimitris Epaminondas, a member of the epidemiological team and president of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association.
Epaminondas said that apart from two units still under examination, all others have returned negative results. He added that double vaccination has been completed at more than 90% of units across Cyprus.
“We are in the second phase of the surveillance that began in mid-June. More than 30% of units across Cyprus have been checked,” he said.
“This shows a very good epidemiological picture. It shows that we are essentially in the retreat phase of the outbreak, and that we are managing the situation better. This situation is under control at the moment,” he continued.
He also said high temperatures are helping destroy the virus and limit its spread.
On further relaxations and grazing risk
On the possibility of further relaxations, Epaminondas made clear that epidemiological surveillance needs to increase considerably, and that a very high rate of epidemiological investigation must be reached before additional relaxations can be granted. “We have already gone ahead with several relaxations, which I believe will help units resume operating,” he said.
However, he clarified that grazing at the moment is something that can spread the virus, even in high temperatures. “It’s better to make use of this summer period, which will involve around three months of high exposure, so that whatever is in the environment is destroyed,” he added.
At the same time, he noted that double vaccination has been carried out at more than 90% of Cyprus’s units, essentially covering the animal population.
Paphos vaccinations and the reconstruction plan
Regarding vaccinations in Paphos district, Epaminondas said solutions have been found and the process is proceeding according to plan.
Referring to the livestock sector reconstruction plan being drawn up by Stavros Malas’s team, he said it “will increase biosecurity in small areas where many units are clustered together.”
Preparing for winter
Epaminondas expressed the view that good planning and good preparation had been carried out for the coming winter.
At the same time, he made clear that vaccinations and biosecurity measures will remain in place for a considerable period. “These will protect us from the virus returning,” he said, “because as you know, in the occupied areas, apart from the initial vaccination, they haven’t really done anything else.”
He also called on farmers who are able to do so to clean their units during the summer, so they are better prepared for winter and the risk of new infections is reduced.
“Farmers who refuse to get their animals vaccinated need to understand that this refusal is something that can worsen the situation,” Epaminondas said, appealing to all farmers to cooperate.
“The protection from vaccination matters not only for farmers themselves, but for their neighbours too. So it’s better to think of the common good,” he concluded.
(Information from Cyprus News Agency)
