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6 clusters · 21 sources · 23 days · First seen · Last updated

Greek livestock disease containment and industry impact

Overview

In early August 2026, Greek veterinary authorities responded to two separate livestock disease incidents. On 5 August, the Kastoria regional unit imposed a three-tier emergency zoning system around a confirmed sheep pox outbreak in the village of Gérma, Argos Oresitikos. The following day, a surveillance report covering 15 March–22 July 2026 detailed the situation on the island of Lesbos, where a contagious fever continued to affect sheep, goat, and cattle farms. By mid-August, the broader impact of sheep and goat pox outbreaks became evident, threatening Greece’s $1 billion feta industry. To contain the spread, authorities have required the culling of entire herds, including healthy animals.

By late August, the crisis expanded significantly. In Western Achaia, the disease caused approximately 25,000 animal deaths, prompting local municipalities to request state financial aid similar to natural disaster relief. In Thesprotia, authorities designated a ‘Forbidden Zone’ requiring rigorous disinfection protocols. In Kastoria, the plague resulted in 1,200 deaths, leading to a strict quarantine of nearly the entire regional unit.

Regional impacts have been severe; in the eastern part of the country, over 100 farmers reportedly lost entire flocks. While Deputy Minister of Agriculture Albrim Hoxha noted that active outbreaks decreased from 30 to 11, vaccination efforts remain suspended due to EU coordination and concerns over meat export bans. Despite requests for 500,000 vaccine doses from Turkey, breeders continue to demand immediate intervention to ensure livestock survival. The European Commission has established restrictive zones in Greece, including the closure of slaughterhouses and bans on the movement of meat and milk.

Entities

Greece · Veterinary Center of Athens · Gérma village · Kastoria regional unit · Greek Veterinary Sub‑Department

Timeline

  1. 16 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Greece implements strict measures amid sheep and goat contagion outbreaks

    Greece is enforcing strict disinfection protocols in Thesprotia and seeking state aid for farmers in Western Achaia following severe sheep and goat contagion outbreaks.

  2. 20 days ago

    [HEALTH] 6 sources
    Sheep pox outbreak threatens livestock and farmers

    Sheep pox outbreaks are causing severe livestock losses in the region. While active cases are declining, vaccination remains stalled due to EU coordination and export concerns, following a massive crisis in.

  3. 25 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Greece manages livestock plague in Castoria and West Nile virus outbreak

    Greece faces significant health challenges as sheep and goat plague kills 1,200 animals in Castoria, while the Greek Infectious Diseases Society warns of rising West Nile virus cases.

  4. 28 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Greece feta industry threatened by sheep and goat pox outbreak

    A sheep and goat pox outbreak in Greece has led to the culling of over 488,000 animals, threatening the country’s $1 billion feta industry and causing significant livestock population declines.

  5. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 5 sources
    Lesbos surveillance finds ongoing contagious fever cases in livestock

    A surveillance report for Lesbos shows ongoing cases of contagious fever in livestock, with 11% of sheep/goat farms and 25% of cattle farms testing positive, prompting continued vigilance and biosecurity.

  6. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 5 sources
    Kastoria imposes emergency zones to curb sheep pox outbreak

    Greek veterinary officials have sealed off Kastoria with protection and surveillance zones, banning movement, sale and grazing of sheep to stop a sheep pox outbreak.

Sources

24-ore.com · alphatv.gr · dikaiologitika.gr · dnyuz.com · e-ptolemeos.gr · efsyn.gr · europesays.com · insider.gr · mononews.gr · paramythia-online.gr · paraskhnio.gr · pelop.gr · shenja.tv · sofokleousin.gr · tech.in.gr · tetovasot.com · tovima.gr · tradeinvestsa.co.za · ts.mk · tv21.tv · zhurnal.mk

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history