July 4, 2013

The poultry sector in Cyprus which was ravaged by the Newcastle disease outbreak could pose a danger for the rest of the EU.

The EU lab in the UK on Tuesday (Jul 2) informed Brussels that the strain of the virus was strong. The conventional inoculation used here and elsewhere in the EU was not adequate to create antibodies, and a new one may need to be used. It could take a month for poultry here to be inoculated, whereas the disease could spread unless stringent measures are introduced.

There was confirmation Tuesday of incidents of Newcastle disease in the Paphos district, where 50 chickens were destroyed in Prodromi, near Polis Chrysochous. Officials are investigating whether the Prodromi outbreak was linked to the incidents in Nicosia.

Over the past few days, another 150 farm birds were euthanised in Ayios Trimithias, while there are fears the disease could spread to the island's wild birds. The Game Fund is on alert and is examining ways to brief hunters and the public.