**All Tested Samples Negative as Cyprus Nears Completion of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Surveillance**
Cyprus is on the verge of concluding its surveillance efforts related to a recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, as all examined samples have returned negative results. This development has raised optimism among officials regarding the containment of the virus, according to Dr. Demetris Epaminondas, president of the Cyprus Veterinary Association and a member of the government’s epidemiological team.
Dr. Epaminondas reported on Monday that 121 livestock units are still classified as infected, but authorities are awaiting results from a final batch of samples collected in the Limassol district. He emphasized that the negative results from all surveillance and tracing samples taken in Limassol and Nicosia signify a positive trend in managing the outbreak.
The remaining test results are anticipated to be released on Tuesday. If these results are also negative, it would mark the successful completion of surveillance and tracing efforts within a three-kilometre radius of the affected farms. Dr. Epaminondas noted that culling operations related to the outbreak were finalized on Friday, and there are currently no outstanding cases requiring further action.
In addition to surveillance efforts, vaccination initiatives are ongoing, bolstered by the receipt of additional vaccine doses. Inoculations are set to commence in livestock units in Paphos and Limassol that had previously not been covered due to earlier shortages of the vaccine. The goal, as stated by Dr. Epaminondas, is to achieve comprehensive nationwide vaccination coverage to prevent future outbreaks.
Authorities are also maintaining heightened controls along the demarcation line. Police patrols have been deployed in areas adjacent to the buffer zone, and existing measures at crossing points remain in effect. Discussions are ongoing among authorities, police, and the National Guard regarding additional measures to enhance biosecurity.
Despite the encouraging test results, officials have cautioned that it is premature to consider lifting any restrictions. Dr. Epaminondas indicated that decisions regarding the easing of measures will hinge on two critical factors: the completion of the vaccination program and a thorough assessment of the epidemiological situation based on the final sampling results. Only once these criteria have been satisfied will authorities be able to establish a timeline for any potential relaxation of controls.
He further mentioned that there is currently no necessity to import livestock to replace animals lost during the outbreak, as the replenishment of the national herd can be achieved through domestic means.
Should the final samples from Limassol also return negative results, Dr. Epaminondas described this as a particularly encouraging outcome. It would suggest that the infected livestock unit in Pachna was the sole identified outbreak source in the district and that authorities have effectively prevented further viral spread within Limassol.
As for the origins of the disease at the Pachna unit, Dr. Epaminondas noted that investigators have some leads but are awaiting the completion of a comprehensive epidemiological report before reaching any definitive conclusions.
Overall, the situation appears to be stabilizing, and the efforts of the veterinary and epidemiological teams are being closely monitored as Cyprus moves forward in addressing the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.