The foot-and-mouth outbreak is said to be at a critical juncture, with Easter just a fortnight away, the veterinary association and farmers said on Monday.
Culling has finished at farms where incidences were found and the first phase of vaccinations across the island is almost complete, while the second is already underway in Larnaca.
Meanwhile, farmers have been urged to be extremely careful in moving livestock for slaughter ahead of Easter, with the state preparing heightened safety measures at abattoirs.
After the imposed culling and restrictions, farmers now have to deal with another problem, that of the dwindling stock of animal feed as a result of relying on reserves to feed livestock which would otherwise be out grazing.
Head of the Cyprus Veterinary Association Demetris Epaminondas said the second phase of vaccinations in Larnaca included the second vaccine for sheep and goats.
Swine vaccinations in the containment areas were expected to begin over the coming days, as the vaccines were due to arrive the latest by Tuesday. Once that was completed, vaccinations of pigs would continue across the island.
“It will take a long time before we can say that we have placed the crisis under control,” Epaminondas said.
So far, he said, there had been no reports of the disease in Limassol or Paphos. “We are awaiting the results from Famagusta district as well to see what is going on there,” he added.
He pointed out it was very important that farmers implement the biosafety measures, especially regarding the movement of people, milk and animal feed.
The company collecting the dead animals was also implementing strict biosafety measures under the supervision of the Veterinary Services.
In view of Easter and the large number of animals being taken to abattoirs, “every possible effort is being made to give the right instructions and follow the proper procedures,” he said.
“There is a concern for this period and this is why stricter measures will be taken,” he added.
On behalf of the coordinating committee of sheep and goat farmers, Nikos Chronis said farmers were anxious about their future and were awaiting instructions from the Veterinary Services and compensation from the state.
Chronis said not being able to let the animals out to graze affected the whole sector, not just the farmers who had to buy food for the animals now restricted.
He added that farmers were in solidarity with one another, were implementing biosafety measures and were awaiting further instructions from the authorities.
