A total of 76 cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been recorded on the island of Lesbos over the past three weeks, raising concerns among agricultural authorities and livestock producers.

According to the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, the cases were identified between March 15 and May 4 across 116 farms. The outbreak has prompted large-scale inspections and testing as officials seek to contain the spread of the disease.

Extensive testing and monitoring

Authorities have carried out checks on 674 livestock holdings, including sheep, goats, cattle and mixed farms. During this process, nearly 23,000 animals underwent blood testing, while more than 36,000 samples were sent to the national reference laboratory for analysis.

Veterinary services continue to conduct intensive surveillance and laboratory investigations to closely monitor the epidemiological situation and ensure that containment measures are effectively applied.

Call for strict compliance

The ministry has urged all those involved in the livestock sector—including farmers, traders, transporters, slaughterhouses and dairy businesses—to strictly follow veterinary guidelines.

Officials stress that full compliance is essential to limit the spread of the disease, protect livestock and safeguard the island’s agricultural production.

What is foot-and-mouth disease?

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. It spreads rapidly between farms through direct contact, contaminated equipment, vehicles and even human activity.

The virus can also be transmitted through the air, increasing the risk of infection in nearby farms.

While the disease does not infect humans and poses no threat to public health, it is considered one of the most serious illnesses affecting livestock, requiring strict biosecurity measures and movement restrictions to control outbreaks.