Cyprus Launches Mass Livestock Vaccination to Combat Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak
Cyprus has announced a comprehensive plan to vaccinate thousands of goats, sheep, hogs, and cows in an urgent effort to contain a severe outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. This initiative aims to protect the nation's agricultural exports, particularly halloumi cheese, and prevent further spread of the highly contagious viral disease.
Immediate Vaccination Efforts and Biosecurity Measures
Agriculture and Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou confirmed that European Union experts are currently on the ground in Cyprus to oversee the initial round of vaccinations. The focus is on livestock farms within a three-kilometer radius from the outbreak's epicenter. So far, 11 farms across four communities near the southern coastline have been affected.
Strict biosecurity protocols are being enforced, including the deployment of crews to spray disinfectant on vehicles entering exclusion zones. This measure is critical to prevent the transfer of the virus, which causes fever, blister-like sores in the mouth, reduces milk production, and weakens animals. Panayiotou emphasized that adhering to these measures is essential for containment, with private veterinarians recruited to assist state authorities in vaccine administration.
Vaccine Supply and Cross-Community Cooperation
The vaccination campaign will begin with a first batch of 10,000 vaccine shots transferred from the breakaway Turkish Cypriot northern part of the island. This initial supply will be used until an order of more than half a million doses arrives from European manufacturers. Soteria Georgiadou, a senior official at Cyprus' Veterinary Services, noted that authorities had previously provided EU-supplied vaccine doses to Turkish Cypriot farmers after the disease first appeared in the north in late 2025.
Turkish Cypriots have agreed to return a portion of those doses, facilitating a collaborative response. Georgiadou also reported that 263 cattle have already been culled, with another 13,000 sheep, goats, and swine scheduled for destruction. The animals will be buried in designated sites, and vaccinations may expand to a 10-kilometer radius if necessary.
Impact on Halloumi Cheese Exports and Economic Concerns
The outbreak poses a significant threat to Cyprus's halloumi cheese industry, a key economic driver. Exports of the squeaky, white cheese reached just over 200 million euros in the first half of 2025, reportedly surpassing the island's pharmaceuticals sector. President Nikos Christodoulides assured that the government would support farmers and compensate them for losses, while suggesting the disease may have spread from the north due to "possibly illegal activities."
Marios Constantinou, head of the Cheesemakers Association, stated that halloumi production and exports to primary markets in the EU, the UK, and Australia remain assured due to safety measures during manufacturing. Panayiotou added that no new incidents have been identified outside the affected farms, with strict protocols in place for regular testing of animal samples. She also confirmed that meat consumption is safe even after vaccination.
Historical Context and Ongoing Efforts
Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines since 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup aimed at uniting the island with Greece. The Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence is recognized only by Turkey, and while Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, only the southern, Greek Cypriot part enjoys full membership benefits. This outbreak highlights the challenges of cross-community cooperation in disease management.
Disinfection efforts are expected to continue for at least a couple more months as authorities work to fully contain the virus. The rapid response underscores the importance of protecting Cyprus's agricultural sector and maintaining its reputation in international markets.
