Foot-and-Mouth Disease Spreads in Cyprus and Greece, Slovakia Sends Aid
A year after its own outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, Slovakia is sending four veterinarians to help Cyprus, where nearly 30,000 animals have been culled. The disease has also appeared on the Greek island of Lesbos.
Mediterranean Region Battles SAT-1 Strain
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has returned to Europe — this time to Cyprus and Greece. While Slovakia has only recently recovered from its own outbreak and regained its international status as a disease-free territory in February 2026, the Mediterranean countries are facing a rapidly spreading epidemic of the SAT-1 serotype, which is exotic to the region.
Cyprus: Nearly 30,000 Animals Culled
The Republic of Cyprus confirmed the occurrence of FMD on February 20, 2026, on a cattle farm in the Larnaca region. However, the infection had already appeared in December 2025 in the northern part of the island. By the end of March, the number of infected farms had increased to 49 — 46 of them in the Larnaca district and three in Nicosia. According to Cypriot government data, 29,731 animals have been culled, including 28,019 sheep and goats and 1,712 cattle.
The European Commission has declared the entire island of Cyprus a restricted zone until at least May 1, 2026. Vaccination of cattle has reached 98% of the population, and approximately 75% for sheep and goats. The EU has supplied 500,000 doses of vaccine to the island. However, strict European rules require the culling of all animals in an infected herd, even if they do not show symptoms.
Greece: First Outbreak in 30 Years
On March 16, 2026, Greece confirmed the occurrence of FMD on the island of Lesbos — on a mixed farm with 38 cattle and 250 sheep. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) subsequently confirmed five more outbreaks. Greece has been free of foot-and-mouth disease since 1994, making this a return of the disease after more than three decades. The serotype is the same as in Cyprus — SAT-1.
Slovakia: From Victim to Expert
Slovakia has recent experience with the disease. In March 2025, FMD was confirmed on three farms in southwestern Slovakia — in the villages of Medveďov, Ňárad and Baka in the Trnava region. In total, more than 8,500 farm animals were culled. The WOAH suspended Slovakia's status as a country free of FMD, but after successfully managing the outbreak, it was restored on October 31, 2025.
This experience is now paying off. Four Slovak veterinarians have been sent to Cyprus, where they are helping local authorities manage the outbreak. At the same time, the State Veterinary and Food Administration (ŠVPS) introduced extraordinary measures from March 23, 2026 — a ban on the import of unprocessed animal products from Cyprus and Greece in personal luggage, and disinfection mats at airports in Bratislava, Košice, Piešťany and Poprad.
Why This Matters to Slovakia
Maintaining the status of a country free of FMD is crucial for Slovak agriculture. Last year's outbreak caused losses in the tens of millions of euros and the temporary closure of export markets. Any new outbreak could block these markets again. Strict controls at airports and a ban on the import of risky products are therefore preventive steps to prevent the introduction of the virus into Slovakia.
As the example of Cyprus shows, where the disease spread to dozens of farms despite immediate measures, foot-and-mouth disease remains one of the most contagious diseases of farm animals — and vigilance is warranted.
