Greece faces lockdown threat as smallpox hits sheep and goat herds
Greece’s Ministry of Rural Development has launched a 10-day emergency operation to contain a major outbreak of sheep and goat smallpox that has already wiped out over 263,000 animals—more than 3% of the national herd—since August 2024.
The disease, now confirmed in 24 of Greece’s 51 prefectures, poses a serious threat to the country's livestock sector, feta cheese exports, and native breeds such as the Kalarrytiko and Karagouniko. Authorities warn that a nationwide lockdown on livestock movement may be imposed if containment fails.
Complicating matters, healthy herds from mountainous areas are now migrating to lowland winter pastures—some near current outbreak zones—raising fears of rapid spread.
Vaccination has been ruled out due to trade restrictions and concerns over vaccine effectiveness, which could jeopardize feta exports expected to exceed €1 billion this year.
Minister of Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras described the outbreak as “unusually large,” urging full cooperation from regional authorities and farmers. “If we don’t act now, we risk a national lockdown on livestock,” he warned.
Emergency measures include mass inspections, disinfection stations on key roads, and strict biosecurity enforcement. A temporary ban on live animal transit through the Balkans is also being considered at the EU level.
