No cases of plague in Cyprus so far, the Ministry of of Georgia – “It does not affect humans, since it is not transmitted to humans”
So far there has not been an incident of plague of small ruminants (PPR) in Cyprus, told the KYPE Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr. Maria Panagiotou, who assured that there is no cause for concern for public health in case of detection of a case of plague in small ruminants.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, on the occasion of the infections of plague in small ruminants recorded in the Greek territory, Mrs. Panagiotou stated that the specific disease neither attacks nor affects humans, to note that it has already give instructions to the Veterinary Services to increase checks in order to prevent the presence of the disease in Cyprus, stressing that prevention is the most “important step”.
Besides, he said that in addition to the strict controls, the Veterinary Services have prepared informational material for breeders on PPR, which mentions a series of measures that they must follow to ensure that the animals are healthy.
According to Dr. Panagiotou, breeders strictly apply the instructions and directions they receive from their animal health officials.
He noted that “due to the seriousness of the situation, the entire treatment process is carried out and implemented at the Union level (Standing Committee on Animal Health, Plant Safety, Trade Controls and Animal Welfare) on the basis of specific measures, which all member states to comply”.
It does not affect people, says Chr. Pipis
In a telephone conversation that the KYPE had with the Director of Veterinary Services, Christodoulos Pipis, he said that the plague of small ruminants does not affect humans, since < strong>it is not transmitted to humans.
As Mr. Pipis said, it is transmitted mainly through direct contact between healthy and sick animals, through secretions, such as tears, saliva, urine and feces, as well as through contaminated food , water, equipment and means of transport.
“It is not transmitted to humans. And there is no public health concern. Humans are not at any risk from the disease”, assured the Director of Veterinary Services.
The symptoms of infected animals
According to Christodoulos Pipis the animals, affected by plague, have a high fever, collapse, drowsiness, anorexia, shortness of breath, bloody diarrhea, fluid from the eyes and mouth, changes in the mouth, as well as an unpleasant odor from the mouth.
It is noted that plague of small ruminants (PPR) is endemic in Turkey and in July 2024 it was detected in Greece and Romania. Also, the disease is endemic in many countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
