Large parts of Larnaca district on the island of Cyprus have been placed under strict quarantine by Cypriot authorities after veterinary services confirmed an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the area, the “Cyprus Mail“ reported, quoted by BTA.
Laboratory results have shown that the epicenter of the outbreak are two large sheep and goat farms in the village of Oroklini. The virus was present there for at least two weeks before the first confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease was detected at a cattle farm in the nearby town of Livadia.
The movement of animals and animal products is prohibited without special permission, and roads leading to livestock areas in Livadia and Oroklini are closed with police blockades, the newspaper reported.
According to the newspaper, at the affected site in Livadia alone, about 300 animals will be destroyed due to foot-and-mouth disease, and all farm products, including milk and meat, have been seized.
The authorities said that any additional positive case detected within the three-kilometer protection zone would automatically lead to the destruction of all animals at the relevant site.
Twenty-three livestock farms in the zone have been placed under strict quarantine, with daily sampling and checks being carried out.
The authorities recall that foot-and-mouth disease affects only cloven-hoofed animals and does not pose a risk to humans.