June 26, 2013

Cyprus' veterinary services have reported Newcastle disease virus and mass culling is taking place.

Almost 130,000 birds have been destroyed and inspections are continuing in poultry units across the country.

"The situation is very difficult" said Giorgos Kyriakides, Director of the Veterinary Services, with reports suggesting that up to 15% of the country's poultry industry has been affected.

He said that the Veterinary Services are taking a series of precaution measures, to limit the virus from spreading, while evaluating the data available to find what caused the infection.

The infected area is close to the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, and according Kyriakides, there are efforts to investigate if there is any correlation to the situation there.