Bluetongue Outbreak Claims 10 Livestock in Cyprus

Three sheep and goat farms in Cyprus’s Nicosia and Limassol districts have reported a bluetongue outbreak, with 46 animals infected and 10 deaths so far. Veterinary services director Christodoulos Pipis warned that the disease, spread by small biting midges, could spread further but poses no risk to human health. Unlike foot‑and‑mouth disease, bluetongue is not a Category A disease; its main control is vaccination against relevant serotypes, though farmers may choose to vaccinate. Additional measures include insect repellents and fine‑mesh screens on animal housing. Products from infected animals are safe for consumers, though the outbreak could reduce production.