West Nile Virus Stops in Paralimni Horses After Initial Outbreak

Five horses tested positive for West Nile virus at a single premises in Paralimni, the first detection of the disease in the area. Veterinary services confirmed no additional cases among the 16 horses, and the infected animals are recovering after treatment. Surveillance continues, but authorities say movement restrictions for horses are unnecessary because horses and humans are incidental hosts and do not transmit the virus back to mosquitoes. The outbreak is the first in the region, underscoring the role of birds and mosquitoes in the transmission cycle. Public health measures focus on mosquito control and personal protection to reduce human risk.