Bluetongue disease cases identified in Cyprus

New cases of bluetongue disease have been identified in livestock units across the Limassol and Nicosia districts of Cyprus, bringing the total number of infected locations to five. According to data from the Veterinary Services, these outbreaks involve the BTV-4 serotype, which has been recorded in the country in previous years. Among the five affected units, which house a total of 2,178 sheep and goats, 52 animals have been confirmed infected and 10 deaths have been recorded to date.

Specific instances include a farm in Limassol with 941 animals, where the infection was confirmed on September 30, 2026, and a facility in Nicosia with 456 animals, where cases were confirmed on September 25. Health authorities emphasize that the disease is transmitted by Culicoides midges and does not spread through direct animal-to-animal contact. Furthermore, it is not transmissible to humans.

The Veterinary Services are actively monitoring the epidemiological situation and implementing containment measures to prevent further spread. As the disease is highly seasonal and linked to the activity of vector insects, officials are maintaining heightened surveillance while noting that the BTV-4 strain is a known entity within the region. No further restrictions on human movement or general public health alerts have been issued.