Cyprus’ first foot-and-mouth pig infection

The find of the foot-and-mouth virus successful a pig unit is changing the situation successful Cyprus, raising caller concerns astir however foot-and-mouth illness whitethorn develop.

So far, 84 units of mostly sheep and goat person been infected connected the island, with 63 successful the Larnaca territory and 21 successful the Nicosia district. On Wednesday, 5 much affected units were identified, and cases were besides recovered successful a pig workplace with 4,000 pigs successful the Palaiometocho area.

“It was not something we expected, the detection of a lawsuit successful a pig farm, and it was something we were hoping to avoid,” said Petros Kailas, President of the Pancyprian Association of Pig Breeders. 

He said that aft proceeding reports successful the media, helium contacted the owner, who stated that the affected husbandman had not yet been officially informed. “His son called the veterinary clinic, but they had not notified him, so helium called himself to find out.” The illustration testing to corroborate the beingness of the virus was initiated by the owner, who became suspicious when some of his animals died.

Kailas said a afloat number of the animals will beryllium conducted, and further actions from authorities are expected: “In the coming days the animals will beryllium culled.”