Cyprus in new foot and mouth scare

Nicosia - The results of new tests on Cyprus sheep indicate the Mediterranean island may be facing its first outbreak of foot and mouth disease in more than 40 years, the agriculture ministry said on Saturday.

The authorities have imposed a three-kilometre (two-mile) protection zone around the farm at the centre of the scare in Dromolaxia close to the island's main international airport at Larnaca, the ministry's veterinary services department said.

If definitive results expected on Monday confirm the outbreak of the highly contagious disease, an estimated 150 000 animals face being culled.