The disease is spreading among sheep and goats in Turkey, Greece and Romania. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Maria Panayiotou reports that no cases of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) have yet been recorded in Cyprus.
PPR occurs in Turkey, but has recently been reported to suddenly spread to Greece and Romania. The Minister of Agriculture said that the Veterinary Service has already been instructed. Controls have been strengthened to prevent the spread of plague among animals in Cyprus. Maria Panayiotou believes that prevention and preparedness for action will be the best tactics in this case.
Veterinary services have prepared information material for farmers to ensure they follow the measures necessary to ensure animal health. Due to the seriousness of the situation, efforts are being undertaken at EU level. The European Animal Health Committee expects all EU member states to comply with rules to prevent the spread of PPR.
The head of the Veterinary Service, Christodoulos Pipis, explained that the plague is not transmitted from sheep and goats to humans, so there is no threat to public health. However, its spread will be disastrous for farmers. PPR can also be transmitted to wild animals.
Sheep and goat plague is found in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. It was not usually distributed in European countries.
The text was prepared based on materials from “Philelefteros”
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