Özgöray: Foot-and-Mouth Disease Exists

Responding to Erden’s remarks made on Kıbrıs Postası TV’s programme Gündem, Özgöray also spoke on Kıbrıs Postası TV, telling journalist Ulaş Barış during the programme Gündem that foot-and-mouth disease is present in the country.

Özgöray said there is clear evidence of foot-and-mouth disease in the TRNC and criticised Erden’s statement that “there is no foot-and-mouth disease.” He stressed that the disease has been identified both locally and in Turkey.

Speaking later on Kıbrıs Postası TV’s programme Objektif, Özgöray reiterated that foot-and-mouth disease exists in the country, describing Erden’s comments as “statements made under excitement.” He again underlined that the disease has been confirmed in both the TRNC and Turkey.

Up To 90 Per Cent Productivity Loss In Cattle

Özgöray said foot-and-mouth disease causes serious economic losses, particularly in cattle. He noted that productivity losses reach between 85 and 90 per cent in cattle and around 20 per cent in small livestock.

While the mortality rate is relatively low, Özgöray said calves are particularly vulnerable.
“In cattle, the mortality rate is between 1 and 3 per cent. However, mortality in calves can reach up to 30 per cent. The real problem with foot-and-mouth disease is that milk and meat production almost completely stops,” he said.

Özgöray explained that the disease causes lesions in the mouth and feet of animals, leading to difficulties in feeding, excessive salivation and lameness, symptoms that have been observed in the field.

‘Wrong Policy Was Followed’

Özgöray argued that when the disease was first detected, animals showing symptoms should have been culled and producers compensated. He criticised the Ministry for not adopting this approach, saying instead that authorities immediately imposed quarantine measures and moved to a mass vaccination programme.

“The country’s limited resources were spent on vaccines. I believe this was the wrong policy,” he said.

Recalling that Minister of Agriculture Hüseyin Çavuş had referred to 500,000 vaccine doses, Özgöray warned that even after recovery, around 20 per cent of animals continue to spread the virus. He also noted that foot-and-mouth disease had appeared in the country around 60 years ago, adding that while the disease can theoretically be carried by dust clouds, this is not practically feasible.

Özgöray stressed that silage should only be sourced from regions free of foot-and-mouth disease and drew attention to a lack of effective inspections.

Second Vaccine Dose Essential

Highlighting the importance of vaccination, Özgöray said the second dose is vital. He stated that the vaccine brought to the island is of good quality but emphasised that the second dose must be administered between 21 and 30 days after the first.