Vet services ready to help Turkish Cypriots battling bovine LSD

The Republic’s veterinary services are ready to provide assistance to Turkish Cypriots, Agriculture Minister Nicos Kouyiallis said on Wednesday, as a report suggested that help had been sought to tackle an outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) among cattle in the northern part of the island.

Kouyialis said no request had been made beyond a report in Turkish Cypriot media that an appeal for help had been made.

The minister said the matter was being monitored by the vet services, which were in contact with European Union authorities.

The disease was detected in the north towards the end of November last year.

LSD is a disease spread by insect bites. Symptoms include fever, discharge from the eyes and nose and skin lesions among others. It is sometimes fatal. Quarantine restrictions are of limited use and vaccinations are the best method of control.

“The areas with the problem are quite far from the government-controlled areas but such diseases, which are serious and unprecedented on EU territory, must be tackled immediately and effectively in line with EU rules,” he said.

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