Cavus: 20,000 Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccines to Be Sent to South Cyprus

Cavus stated that since December 13, 2025, his ministry had repeatedly warned the authorities in South Cyprus, but for a long time received responses claiming that there were no cases in their territory.

Recalling that in December nine calves were intercepted while being illegally brought into the country from the Famagusta First Region and were found to be infected with foot-and-mouth disease, Cavus said they had expressed serious concerns at the time that the disease might be widespread in the south.

He noted that the authorities in South Cyprus officially confirmed foot-and-mouth disease cases as of February 20 and announced that approximately 13,000 animals in and around the Larnaca region had been affected.

Cavus stressed that small livestock in particular act as carriers of the virus, creating a much greater risk for the spread of the outbreak.

“The foot-and-mouth virus is aggressive. Strict measures must be taken and vaccination must begin rapidly,” Cavus said, adding that his warnings had continued since February 20.

Cavus announced that an official request for vaccines was received today from the Greek Cypriot authorities and that the government would send a total of 20,000 doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine to South Cyprus.

He said that 10,000 doses would be delivered initially, followed by an additional 10,000 doses at a later stage.