The ‘goat plague’ killing off sheep and goats in Greece and Romania is not affecting Cyprus’ small ruminants, however neither the island nor the EU as a whole are turning a blind eye.
Director of the Veterinary Services Christodoulos Pipis told the Cyprus Mail that an epidemiological survey is being carried out to determine how what’s known as the Peste des Petits Ruminants virus reached Eastern Europe.
“We do not have any cases. We never did,” Pipis said.
He went on to say that the EU has imposed restrictions on animals and animal products from the affected areas.
Additionally, the Greek agriculture minister has “unilaterally taken a decision prohibiting the transportation of animals and animal products outside Greece” in an effort to contain the virus.
“In practice, there is no danger of spreading the virus from Greece,” he said.
Pipis assured the Cyprus Mail that the virus cannot be transmitted to humans.
“It is not transmitted to humans.”
The virus, however, is dangerous for small ruminants, which it kills.
“There are huge losses of animals where the virus has not struck before,” Pipis said.
Measures to tackle the virus are euthanising the animals that are infected.
Animal remains are either incinerated or buried on the spot if transporting them to an animal crematorium cannot be done without the risk of spreading the virus.
Pipis said that if animals are buried at the site, they are “enriched with lime and disinfectants”.
Cyprus, he said, not being affected, cannot take any measures at this time “due to the open market”.
“We cannot unilaterally impose any restrictions that would affect the unhindered functioning of the open market,” he said.
