Update on foot-and-mouth disease containment and vaccination efforts

New shipments of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines have arrived in Cyprus as of June 9, 2026, and are currently awaiting customs clearance to begin a distribution program. Dimitris Epameinondas, President of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association, confirmed that sampling in the Limassol region is ongoing, with no new positive cases detected in recent tests. Vaccination coverage rates across the country are reported as 92% and 84% for cattle, 80% and 78% for goats and sheep, and 41% for pigs, covering first and second doses respectively. While most animal culling operations in 118 infected units are reported as complete, involving approximately 80,000 animals, there are conflicting accounts regarding the status of two specific infected units. One source reports that the animals on these two farms, which consist of fat-tailed sheep and native red cows, have not been culled; it notes that the sheep have been cleared, while the decision for the cows is still pending. In contrast, another report states that all culling operations are complete with no outstanding issues, although it acknowledges that a decision remains pending for the small farm housing the red cows.