New outbreaks of sheep pox surge across Greece, raising alarm
A sharp resurgence of sheep pox has struck Greece, with the Ministry of Rural Development and Food confirming 42 new outbreaks on July 14.
The renewed wave of infections has resulted in the culling of 13,831 sheep and goats nationwide, intensifying concern among farmers and local authorities.
Since the disease first emerged a year ago, a total of 605 outbreaks have been officially recorded, forcing the slaughter of over 140,000 animals, according to figures released by the General Directorate of Veterinary Services.
Thessaly Hit Hardest
The majority of the recent outbreaks—60% of new cases—were reported in the region of Thessaly, with the regional units of Larissa and Magnesia alone accounting for 25 of the 42 cases. Larissa, in particular, is now considered the epicenter of the latest surge, reporting 18 new cases.
Other affected areas include Aetolia-Acarnania, Rodopi, Florina, Phocis, and Xanthi, underscoring the widespread nature of the outbreak across both mainland and northern Greece.
Mounting Frustration Over Government Response
With the crisis entering its second year, frustration is growing among livestock farmers, many of whom are questioning the accuracy of official data and the effectiveness of the ministry’s response. Despite repeated containment efforts, the disease continues to spread, and confidence in the current measures appears to be waning.
Emergency Meetings in Thessaly
In response, Deputy Minister of Rural Development Dimitris Papagiannidis convened a series of emergency meetings in Thessaly on Thursday evening. The sessions brought together regional officials, police, civil protection agencies, local mayors, livestock representatives, and processing associations in a bid to coordinate immediate action.
Key measures discussed include:
Enhanced police presence in protection zones to enforce movement restrictions.
Deployment of seven additional veterinarians to support containment.
Hiring of temporary staff to assist in disease eradication efforts.
Doubling of compensation payments for affected farmers, with promises of prompt disbursement.
Support packages to offset increased costs for farms under quarantine.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that “a coordinated response from all sectors is essential” and urged full cooperation from both public authorities and agricultural stakeholders.
What’s Next?
With sheep pox continuing to pose a serious threat to Greece’s livestock industry, all eyes are now on the government’s ability to implement stricter biosecurity measures and restore trust among farmers.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as authorities monitor containment efforts and assess the effectiveness of the latest interventions.
