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Cyprus Imposes Livestock Lockdown As Contagious Animal Fever Spreads

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 2, 2026

Swift Government Intervention

Cyprus’ Veterinary Services under the Ministry of Agriculture have imposed emergency restrictions on livestock operations across the island following the detection of a highly contagious animal fever. The measures, published in the Official Gazette, are aimed at containing the outbreak and limiting economic losses to the livestock sector.

Comprehensive Movement Restrictions

Under directives issued by Christodoulos Pipis, Director of Veterinary Services, strict controls were introduced under the Animal Health Laws (2001–2023). The measures apply nationwide and include:

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A ban on the movement of cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats to and from farms.
Suspension of grazing activities in open fields.
Restrictions on transporting animal feed, pharmaceuticals, and equipment, as well as limits on personnel access to farms.
A prohibition on recreational or educational visits, with access limited to essential animal care only.

Exceptions And Strategic Response Measures

To prevent disruption to essential supply chains, limited exemptions may be granted for:

Transporting animals directly to slaughterhouses.
Delivery of feed and veterinary supplies by approved operators.
Water supply required for animal welfare.

Although the disease does not pose a direct threat to human health, authorities have implemented strict containment protocols. Animals in affected units may be culled regardless of symptoms to prevent further spread and protect meat and dairy production.

Escalation And Implications For The Sector

The outbreak intensified between February 19 and 22, when 11 livestock units in Livadia, Oroklini, Troulloi, and Aradippou reported infections. Approximately 13,920 animals were considered at risk, prompting an initial compensation package estimated at €4.5 million for affected farmers. Reported cases include five units in Oroklini, four in Livadia, and one each in Aradippou and Troulloi, highlighting the concentration of infections in the Larnaca district.

Vaccination Drive And Future Outlook

Authorities have launched a large-scale vaccination campaign aimed at creating an “immunity barrier” around affected zones. The plan covers approximately 170,801 animals. So far, around 9,000 cattle within a 3-kilometer protection zone have been vaccinated. Within the broader 10-kilometer surveillance area, authorities plan to vaccinate 25,613 cattle, 97,021 sheep and goats, and 48,167 pigs. A shipment of 50,000 vaccine doses for small ruminants has already been distributed to veterinary clinics following an earlier delivery of 10,000 doses. An additional 529,000 doses supplied by the European Union are expected to arrive shortly.

Regional Enforcements And Economic Safeguards

The Larnaca district remains under the strictest controls, with 21 disinfection points and multiple police checkpoints monitoring compliance. Senior Veterinary Officer Sotiria Georgiadou emphasized that biosecurity protocols must be followed rigorously to prevent further spread.

Transparency and Market Resilience

Authorities are also investigating possible underreporting in Oroklini after laboratory analysis indicated the virus may have been present weeks before official confirmation. While Cyprus has temporarily lost its disease-free status with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), officials maintain that processed products such as halloumi remain safe for export due to heat treatment procedures that neutralize the virus. Restrictions primarily affect raw animal products.

Detailed Case Data

The authorities have provided a snapshot of the outbreak data:

Date	Region	Animal Units	Cases
19/2	Livadia	260 Cows	5 Cases
20/2	Oroklinis	1,380 Sheep	14 Cases
20/2	Oroklinis	1,940 Sheep	12 Cases
21/2	Livadia	98 Sheep	7 Cases
21/2	Livadia	1,076 Sheep	7 Cases
21/2	Livadia	251 Sheep	24 Cases
22/2	Oroklinis	1,876 Sheep	13 Cases
22/2	Oroklinis	2,144 Sheep	15 Cases
22/2	Oroklinis	989 Sheep	13 Cases
22/2	Troulloi	939 Sheep	No Reported Cases
22/2	Aradippou	2,972 Sheep	No Reported Cases

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Cyprus And Greece Outline Joint Tourism Plans For Summer 2026

Strategic Partnership Enhances Tourism Prospects

The Cyprus Tourism Authority (EOT Cyprus) presented proposals for summer 2026 focused on strengthening tourism cooperation between Cyprus and Greece, with joint efforts aimed at attracting visitors from long-haul markets.

Greece: The Top Destination For Cypriot Travelers

At an event on April 28, Athena Spakouri, Director of EOT Cyprus, said Greece is expected to remain the main travel destination for Cypriot residents, with plans extending beyond established locations to include lesser-known regions. This approach reflects a broader effort to diversify travel options while maintaining strong demand between the two countries.

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Complementary Destinations, Unified Vision

Building on this, Spakouri noted that Cyprus and Greece offer complementary tourism experiences rather than competing directly. Joint programmes are therefore being positioned to attract visitors from markets such as the United States and China, while tourism activity continues to be assessed in the context of broader geopolitical developments.

Robust Air And Sea Connectivity

Supporting this cooperation, Konstantinos Kollias said around 600,000 Cypriots travelled to Greece in 2025. Frequent flights, short travel times, and ferry connections between Limassol and Piraeus continue to facilitate movement between the two countries and sustain travel flows.

Diverse Tourism Offerings for a New Era

Konstantinos Kollias highlighted that Greece’s tourism portfolio spans from traditional seaside holidays to sectors such as cultural, religious, gastronomic, agritourism, ecotourism, spa, conference, and medical tourism.

This range reflects the expansion of tourism offerings across different segments and travel preferences. In parallel, Joseph Iosif referred to Greece as a “second homeland” for Cypriot travellers, pointing to longstanding cultural and travel links between the two countries.

Innovative Programs And Strengthened Connections

Building on this approach, the EOT strategy includes initiatives focused on gastronomic routes, cultural trails, thematic and religious tourism, as well as curated city breaks in destinations such as Athens and Thessaloniki. These programmes were presented at the event alongside references to historical, cultural, and religious connections between Cyprus and Greece, including remarks from Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria.

Boosting Air Connectivity And Island Accessibility

At the same time, airlines including Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, and Cyprus Airways outlined plans to expand connections between Cyprus and Greece, with a focus on increasing access to island destinations. The event also brought together stakeholders from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Hermes Airports, tour operators, and ACTAA, reflecting coordination across different parts of the tourism sector.