European farmers on high alert as FMD confirmed in the Republic of Cyprus

European veterinary authorities have confirmed foot and mouth disease (FMD) has taken hold in the island of Cyprus, the fourth EU country affected recently by the disease.

The latest news from the region states the disease has been detected on 22 farms, with around 16,000 animals in total affected.

The first case this year was detected on Feb. 20, 2026, on a cow farm near Livadia, in the popular tourist Larnaca region. The outbreak was confirmed as SAT 1 serotype, which is considered exotic to the region.

Since then more cases in cattle and also in sheep and goats have been detected in other farms in Livadia and also the Oroklini region.

Cyprus senior veterinary officer Sotiria Georgiadou said, “Depending on the births of the animals, we may reach up to 16,000 thousand infected animals.

“So far from all the completed laboratory tests carried out, the infected units have risen to 22, after 11 more were identified, eight in Livadia and three in Oroklini. The positive thing, which was expected, is that all the units are within the infected zone, which is promising.”

The official confirmed that all animals on the first farms where FMD was found have been slaughtered.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Cyprus has ensured that all farms have taken all preventative measures they can to lower the spread risk of FMD.

The vet added, “Since the first day a case was found in the Republic, more than 513 people, together with the agriculture minister, are at the Zenon Coordination Centre and other control points to contain foot and mouth disease in the infected area.”

The European Commission has delivered 500,000 doses of FMD serotype SAT1 vaccine to Cyprus from the EU vaccine bank to support the government and farmers.

Meanwhile, the UK Chief Veterinary Officer has urged all livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of FMD following the latest outbreak in Cyprus.

The UK government has taken action and has applied restrictions on certain Cypriot commercial imports to Great Britain. These measures are necessary to mitigate the risk of disease and to safeguard UK livestock, agricultural production and biosecurity.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Christine Middlemiss said, “Foot and Mouth disease has now been confirmed in Cyprus, we remain in contact with our European counterparts to understand the latest situation. 

“Robust plans are already in place to minimize the risk of disease incursion to support Britain’s farming community and food security.

“Livestock keepers are reminded to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, follow scrupulous biosecurity and report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency,” she said.

Since April 12 2025, travelers have been banned from bringing cattle, sheep, goat and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use, following a rise of disease cases across mainland Europe.