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Veterinary Services: "We Implemented Protocols from the Start"

Published February 28, 2026, 09:10
Veterinary Services: "We Implemented Protocols from the Start"

The Veterinary Services of Cyprus announced that they immediately activated protocols for dealing with foot-and-mouth disease upon the detection of the first case. The Emergency Plan for Category A diseases was implemented, as stipulated by European Regulation 2020/687. This includes the operation of Disease Control Centers, epidemiological investigations, sampling, tracing, and restriction and biosecurity measures in affected areas. Simultaneously, the Services informed livestock farmers about biosecurity measures and issued an official notification in the Official Gazette. These measures include the prohibition of the movement of animals, feed, medicines, grazing, equipment and people to and from farms, as well as visits not related to animal care. Exceptions are provided for the movement of animals to slaughterhouses, the distribution of feed and medicines through approved suppliers, and the transport of water for animal drinking, with the permission of the Director of Veterinary Services. The measures vary by zone, with stricter protocols in infected areas and protection zones (Form SEA 8) and less strict ones in surveillance zones (Form SEA 16). Finally, the importance of basic biosecurity measures is recalled, such as access control, disinfection, the use of personal protective equipment, visitor logging, cleaning and animal monitoring. The Veterinary Services emphasize that their actions are implemented based on a comprehensive operational plan.