On Friday 13 February, the European Commission announced the delivery of 500,000 doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine to the authorities in Cyprus.
These vaccines concern serotype SAT1 and are to be used to reinforce vaccination in areas of the island where the Cypriot government does not exercise effective control.
This is the first delivery organised this year by the European Commission as part of its ongoing monitoring of the epidemic.
The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed last December in the village of Lapathos.
Since then, veterinarians in the areas concerned have taken a number of measures, including quarantine, restrictions on animal movements and the application of disinfection and biosecurity protocols.
The vaccines, mobilised from the EU vaccine bank, are an emergency aid to protect susceptible livestock populations and reduce the risk of the virus spreading.
This intervention is also aimed at protecting the livelihoods of livestock farmers and limiting the risk of transmission to other parts of the island and the region.
The European Commission is closely monitoring developments in the epidemic and remains ready to provide additional support if required. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)