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New Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Geri Livestock Unit

Published March 23, 2026, 13:44
New Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Geri Livestock Unit

A new case of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in a sheep and goat unit in Geri, bringing the total number of infected units to 45 across Cyprus. The unit houses 725 animals. To date, the disease has led to the death of 22,600 sheep and goats and 1,500 cattle. Vaccinations are progressing at a rapid pace, covering 98% of cattle and 72% of sheep and goats. Despite the commencement of the first package of financial aid to affected livestock farmers, the situation remains tense. Following a protest outside the Presidential Palace, representatives of livestock farmers met with the Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Grigoriou, to discuss the need for more substantial support. The meetings are expected to continue on a weekly basis, as the compensation committee is under pressure to respond to the demands of livestock farmers. Farmers are calling for more assistance, given the strict measures taken, including the mass culling of animals to limit the spread of the disease. The situation remains critical for the livestock sector in Cyprus, as foot-and-mouth disease threatens the economic viability of many farms. The government is under pressure to find a balance between the need to control the disease and support the affected livestock farmers.