Same FMD virus strain as the north confirmed in Republic cases

The veterinary services confirmed on Wednesday that the foot-and-mouth disease virus detected in livestock units in government-controlled areas is of the same serotype as that circulating in the north.

The confirmation followed specialised laboratory tests, validating concerns that the outbreak is epidemiologically linked to cases identified in the north since December.

Speaking at the crisis management centre at the Zenon facility in Larnaca, Veterinary Services spokesperson...