Virus alarm in North Cyprus as sheep and goat pox outbreak detected in Famagusta

TRNC government on Wednesday said it took preventive measures, following an outbreak of sheep and goat pox in the country.

Thirty five cases of the virus named "sheep goal smallpox" were detected in two livestock units in Tuzla, Güvercinlik village and Famagusta.

These three areas have been quarantined, while vaccination of all animals by the TRNC veterinary services began on Tuesday.

An update on the Near East University website said the virus was first detected in two farms in Famagusta on Friday evening, following which 16,200 animals were quarantined in 264 farms in the wider region.

According to NEU Veterinary Medicine professor, Deniz Seyrek Ä°ntaÅŸ the sheep and goat pox epidemic poses no threat to humans – provided that meat is well-cooked – as the virus is killed at a temperature of 60C.

Symptoms appear eight to 13 days after transmission the expert said, including fever, listlessness, conjunctivitis, tearing and runny nose.

The expert stated that sheep and goat pox, transmitted through a member of the Capripoxvirus genus from the Poxviridae family, is highly contagious and highly lethal in small ruminants, however, it does not pose an equivalent threat to cattle.

The severity of the disease can vary depending on the virus strain and the age and breed of the animal, but mortality rates are high in lambs and immature kids under one month old.

Fully grown animals’ chances of survival are low once infection moves to the lungs, and symptoms such as high fever, abortion, and weakness are observed.

Thousands of sheep and goats were vaccinated yesterday under the coordination of the Veterinary Department, within the framework of the preventive vaccination against sheep and goat pox, which was detected in two small cattle farms in Famagusta.

According to the statement, 5 thousand 750 sheep and goats were vaccinated in 46 enterprises. 20 thousand doses of sheep and goat smallpox vaccine obtained from the Republic of Turkey started to be applied to small cattle in Famagusta and Güvercinlik villages yesterday.

Vaccination studies are carried out by 6 Veterinary Department teams and 5 authorized veterinarian teams, taking the necessary protective and biosafety measures. During the vaccination studies, the culling of sick animals for the eradication of the disease, their safe destruction and disinfection of the enterprises are also carried out.

Famagusta District Governorate, local administrations and other department personnel affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources also support the work.

5,750 sheep and goats were vaccinated against the disease in 46 enterprises successfully on the first day of vaccination studies. 

Vaccinated animals form a strong immunity against sheep and goat pox for 2 years and the spread of the disease is stopped. The vaccine used does not have any residue on meat and dairy products. Milk and dairy products from vaccinated animals; There is no health risk in the introduction of meat and meat products from animals sent for slaughter to human consumption.

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