Dairy farmers warn that a sheep pox outbreak could trigger price spikes, potentially raising milk and feta costs by up to 20% for consumers

Authorities warn stricter livestock checks are crucial as over 260,000 animals have been culled and a nationwide movement ban could follow

Disinfection checkpoints, stricter veterinary controls, and quarantine protocols are among the measures introduced to curb the spread of sheep pox across Greece

Authorities in Kozani ordered the culling of 200 sheep and imposed strict movement bans after a confirmed case of sheep pox, aiming to contain the spread of the virus

Notably, 60% of the new cases were found in Thessaly, with Larissa and Magnesia alone accounting for 25 of the 42 new outbreaks.

The livestock census will focus on the goat and sheep herds until December 15, and pig populations throughout December

Between Oct. 2 and 11, 2024, the National Reference Laboratory for Sheep and Goat Pox confirmed 20 new outbreaks in the regions of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.