Outbreak of foot and mouth disease impacts rare livestock breeds in Cyprus

As of April 28, 2026, Cyprus has confirmed foot and mouth disease in 105 livestock units across the Nicosia and Larnaca districts, including 89 sheep and goat units, 13 cattle units, and 3 pig farms. Veterinary Services report that while the virus shows signs of subsiding due to ongoing vaccination efforts—with over 75% coverage in cattle and 62% in sheep—the situation remains critical for rare indigenous breeds. A notable case involves a unit in Dromolaxia owned by Costas Mouskos, which houses approximately 500 fat-tailed sheep, representing nearly 50% of the total population of this rare breed. Mouskos has appealed to the President and the Ministry of Agriculture to exempt his herd from culling to prevent the permanent loss of the breed's genetic heritage. Veterinary officials, including spokesperson Sotiria Georgiadou, stated that a final decision regarding whether to cull or quarantine these specific rare animals will be reached by the end of the week, weighing legal provisions, genetic purity, and disease containment risks. To date, approximately 38,900 sheep and goats, 2,247 cattle, and 16,500 pigs have been culled as part of the containment protocol.