Greek veterinary experts are warning against the use of illegal and unapproved vaccines amid an ongoing outbreak of sheeppox, stressing that such practices endanger both food safety and the livestock sector.
In a joint six-point statement, four professors from the Veterinary Departments of the University of Thessaly and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki called for a scientifically grounded and coordinated response to the crisis. Their statement follows recent public discussions on changing disease-control strategies and the arrest of an individual attempting to import an unlicensed vaccine.
According to the experts, the use of any non-approved immunological products without authorization from the competent authorities is both illegal and dangerous. It poses risks to animals, those handling such products, and the overall safety of the food chain.
They also emphasized that vaccination against sheeppox is not currently an accepted practice within the European Union, as no effective or authorized vaccines exist. Countries that have relied on vaccination for extended periods, they noted, have failed to eradicate the infection.
The professors stressed that Greece had remained free of sheeppox for many years and warned that unscientific or politically motivated interventions could jeopardize exports of livestock products and undermine confidence in the agricultural sector.
“The only effective strategy,” they said, “is the strict application of biosecurity measures across the entire sheep-farming production chain.” They cautioned that misinformation within the farming community and calls for unilateral policy changes could cause “irreversible damage to livestock production, the rural economy, and public trust.”
The academics urged all stakeholders to remain committed to evidence-based decisions, made in cooperation with national and European veterinary authorities. Any change of strategy, they concluded, must be grounded in scientific consensus and institutional approval to ensure the responsible management of the crisis.
