North’s animal pox spreads to Nicosia district

The north’s sheep and goat pox issue appears to have spread to close to the capital, with six farm animals in the northern Nicosia suburb of Mandres culled on Thursday.

The ‘agriculture ministry’ in the north announced that six sheep and goats from Mandres which exhibited symptoms were culled, while a further 110 animals at the same location were vaccinated against the disease.

Attempting to halt the spread of the disease, the north’s authorities have implemented a two-month ban on all sheep, goats and cattle from leaving Mandres.

Following an investigation, it was learnt that the disease reached Mandres after a livestock trader and a producer violated the earlier restrictions placed on animals in Famagusta. The individuals in question have been fined and the issue handed over to the police.

The north has been battling sheep and goat pox since the end of last month, with a total of 35 animals in the Famagusta region infected by May 31. A total of 16,200 animals from 264 farms in Famagusta were initially quarantined.

Farmers in the Republic were warned to keep their animals at least three kilometres away from the area where incidents were noted, and with parts of eastern Nicosia close to Mandres, similar instructions could be given to farmers in Nicosia.

Parliamentarians were briefed on the issue last week, with plans drawn up to prevent the spread of the disease, while steps to be taken should the disease infect animals in the south also outlined.

Officials confirmed that the European Commission has also been informed of the issue, while the head of the Republic’s veterinary services Christodoulos Pipis was keen to reassure the public that the disease cannot infect people.