The veterinary services confirmed on Wednesday that seven additional livestock units have tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease, authorities said Wednesday, pushing the total number of infected farms to 66 as containment efforts continue in affected areas.

The agriculture ministry informed that new cases were confined to already impacted zones, with two units identified in Dromolaxia Meneou, one in Kiti, one in Athienou and three in Yeri.

The latest findings involve around 2,610 sheep and goats, bringing the total number of infected units to 57 in Larnaca and nine in Nicosia.

“All laboratory results from other provinces remain negative,” the ministry assured, adding that tracing and sampling in affected areas are ongoing in an effort to contain the outbreak.

The spread comes as vaccination efforts continue, with the second phase reaching 65.35 per cent of cattle and 38.75 per cent of sheep and goat populations.

Among pig farms located within infected zones, 73 per cent have now been vaccinated.

Authorities said the focus remains on limiting transmission while managing the economic fallout for farmers whose livestock and produce have been destroyed.

Compensation payments are ongoing for milk that has been discarded due to contamination, while payments for animal feed losses have also begun.

Veterinary services have warned that European regulations require compensation to be paid in cash within a strict 90-day deadline, cautioning that alternative arrangements could put EU funding at risk.

Allegations of unauthorised transfers have added to concerns about enforcement of disease control measures, with officials calling for clarity on whether existing decrees have been breached.