100,000 animals culled in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace due to outbreak
Western Thrace
Thu, 21 Aug 2025 11:00 GMT
It has been one year since the first case of sheep pox was reported in the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (EMT) region.
The disease quickly escalated into a major outbreak, affecting hundreds of farms and livestock breeders. As a result, tens of thousands of animals were culled in an effort to contain the spread.
According to official data, nearly 100,000 small ruminants have been slaughtered over the past year as part of disease-control measures.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food has announced efforts to provide compensation to affected farmers. Meanwhile, in a pioneering initiative for Greece, the Rhodope Livestock Association and the Regional Government of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace have introduced the concept of a “Livestock Park” to help manage livestock health and prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases.
