A sharp and troubling rise in new outbreaks of sheep pox has been recorded across Greece, as the General Directorate of Veterinary Services at the Ministry of Rural Development and Food confirmed 42 fresh cases on July 14. A total of 13,831 sheep and goats were culled in response to the outbreaks.
Since the disease was first detected a year ago, 605 outbreaks have been officially reported, resulting in the slaughter of 140,777 animals, according to the ministry’s latest figures.
The new outbreaks are concentrated in several regional units: Aetolia-Acarnania, Larissa, Rodopi, Magnesia, Florina, Phocis, and Xanthi, with the worst-hit area being Larissa, with 18 new outbreaks.
Notably, 60% of the new cases were found in Thessaly, with Larissa and Magnesia alone accounting for 25 of the 42 new outbreaks.
With livestock farmers growing increasingly desperate, concerns have emerged over the accuracy of reported figures and the ministry’s continued inability to contain the spread of the disease after a full year of efforts. Many are now questioning both the effectiveness of containment measures and the overall government response.
Emergency Meetings Led by Deputy Minister of Rural Development
On Thursday evening, the Deputy Minister of Rural Development held a series of emergency meetings in Thessaly. The sessions included Thessaly’s Regional Governor, police and civil protection officials, local mayors, representatives of processing associations, and livestock farmers.
The focus was on mobilizing all available resources to halt the spread of the disease among flocks. The deputy minister emphasized the need for police presence in protection zones to enforce movement restrictions and ensure compliance with containment measures.
He also called for a coordinated response from all stakeholders, stressing that tackling the crisis requires the full cooperation of regional authorities, law enforcement, and the agricultural sector.
He also announced the deployment of seven additional veterinarians to Thessaly and the hiring of temporary staff to assist with the eradication of the disease. He added that compensation for affected farmers had been doubled and paid promptly.
Furthermore, he stated that support is being arranged to cover the increased cost of animal husbandry during the period of movement restrictions within farms.
