Veterinarians Call for Strengthened Measures After vCJD Case in Southern Cyprus

Prion diseases are fatal neurological disorders affecting cattle (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy – BSE), sheep and goats (Scrapie), and humans (vCJD). These illnesses result from misfolded proteins, causing irreversible brain degeneration. Scrapie, in particular, can spread unnoticed in sheep and goat populations for years due to its long incubation period and high contagion.

In Southern Cyprus, EU-aligned eradication and surveillance programs monitor BSE and Scrapie. High-risk cattle are tested post-slaughter for prions, and certain tissues are banned from the food chain. Sheep and goats undergo genetic resistance testing, high-risk animals are removed from herds, and biosecurity measures are enforced on farms.

Northern Cyprus, however, has no national screening programs or preventive action plans against these diseases, posing a potential risk to both the livestock sector and public health.

The Veterinary Association outlined priority measures to be implemented:

• Closure of unlicensed and unregulated slaughterhouses; upgrading existing facilities to meet hygiene and legal standards.

• Preventing high-risk organs from entering the food chain and ensuring safe disposal.

• Initiating regular surveillance and laboratory testing for BSE and Scrapie.

• Identifying and breeding genetically resistant sheep and goat lines, and distributing them to producers.

• Strengthening the financial and personnel capacity of the Veterinary Department.

The statement highlighted that recent outbreaks, such as Blue Tongue and Sheep-Goat Pox, have revealed the department’s resource limitations. Authorities, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, were urged to implement science-based measures immediately.

The statement reassured the public that there is no reason for panic. Meat and dairy products sourced from licensed and veterinarian-supervised facilities remain safe to consume. The disease does not spread from person to person, and the risk can be controlled by keeping high-risk tissues out of the food chain.

“Early action saves lives in prion diseases. With transparent, science-based, and decisive measures, this risk can be eliminated,” the association concluded.