Need for designated burial sites for sheep and goat pox cases highlighted by D. Galamatis
The Secretary of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia–Thrace, Dimitris Galamatis, has emphasized the urgent need to identify sanitary burial sites for animals testing positive for sheep and goat pox to protect public health. In a letter addressed to the municipalities of Central Macedonia, he requested that mayors inform the administration by October 10 whether suitable sites have been located and made available.
In a previous communication, Galamatis noted that such burial sites are necessary in cases where on-site culling is not immediately feasible, or when there is a risk of groundwater contamination, or if incineration facilities are at capacity. He stressed that properly designated burial sites are critical for public health.
The issue was discussed at the recent meeting of the Regional Union of Municipalities of Central Macedonia. The union’s president, Mayor Ignatios Kaitezidis of Pylaia–Chortiatis, agreed with statements noting that many municipalities lack the capacity and expert personnel to assess which sites are suitable for sanitary burial of sheep and goat pox–positive animals.
