Status of foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus and vaccination concerns

Since the first case on February 20, 2026, foot-and-mouth disease has affected 121 units in Cyprus, with no new cases reported for one month following the last detection on June 10, 2026. During a parliamentary committee meeting, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that 19.47 million euros have been allocated for farmer compensation, with 12.76 million already paid. Despite the stabilization of the outbreak, farmers are demanding urgent vaccinations for young animals born after previous doses and for unvaccinated units in Paphos and Limassol. Giannis Kailas of the Cyprus Cattle Breeders Union stated that veterinary services previously cited limited vaccine supplies as a reason for delays. The government is currently conducting a nationwide epidemiological investigation across all districts to monitor the situation. Officials are implementing a strategic sampling plan starting from specific border areas in Famagusta, Larnaca, and Nicosia provinces. Farmers argue that failing to vaccinate the remaining animals risks reigniting the disease, while authorities continue to assess the feasibility of these requests.