Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Scientific Solution for Cypriot Livestock Farming

A scientific opinion from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) proposes a change in strategy for managing foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus.

Professor Spyros Kritis, from the Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (LMID) at AUTH, suggests abandoning the practice of mass culling (stamping-out) and transitioning to a model of 'smart vaccination'.

The report warns that continuing mass culling may lead to the end of livestock farming in the free areas, due to the geopolitical peculiarity of Cyprus and the inability to control the occupied areas where the virus enters from Turkey.

The AUTH proposal is based on the use of DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) vaccines, which allow differentiation between vaccinated and infected animals.

The 'Test-and-Removal' strategy includes systematic vaccination, laboratory testing, and targeted removal of only infected animals.

Professor Kritis also suggests limiting meat consumption within the island and continuing halloumi exports only from certified units.