Smallpox spreads to the mountain villages of İskeçe
A new outbreak of smallpox has been detected in Paneria, near the village of Mustafçova, marking the virus’s first appearance in İskeçe’s mountainous region. The local veterinary authorities have culled 400 animals as of Saturday in an effort to contain the spread.
The disease continues to ravage the livestock population of the İskeçe regional unit, with over 50,000 animals lost since August 2024. According to data from the Ministry of Rural Development and Food (YPΑΑΤ), İskeçe now ranks as the second most affected region in Greece, following Yenişehir (Larisa). The deadliest month so far has been September 2025, during which 31 farms were destroyed.
Dr. Dimos Tegos, head of the İskeçe Veterinary Directorate, expressed frustration:
“All our efforts have failed. We don’t know why. After a brief decline in August, cases surged again after September 8—even in areas not far from previous outbreaks. We cannot explain how the virus is spreading. What we keep telling farmers is to strictly follow biosecurity measures. There is no other way.”
Over 50,000 Animals Lost – Ministry Considers Vaccination
The Ministry of Rural Development and Food has, for the first time, opened the discussion on vaccination. One of the eight proposals made by the Ministry’s Working Group calls for the formation of a scientific committee to assess the effectiveness, immunity duration, availability, and economic impact of vaccines currently authorized by the EU.
Dr. Tegos commented that vaccination has always been on the table but warned of its implications:
“If vaccination begins, the disease could become endemic, as in third countries. Currently, it is being treated as temporary, with eradication achieved through animal culling. There are major consequences — especially for dairy exports, which have built a strong international reputation. It could take a decade to regain market access. Moreover, milk prices would fall, and dairy industries are opposed to vaccination.”
The situation is now critical for İskeçe’s livestock sector, with authorities struggling to stop a disease that shows no signs of slowing down.
