Kastoria: quarantine measures for sheeppox

Strict restrictive measures have been implemented in the Kastoria regional unit in Western Macedonia following confirmation of a new sheeppox outbreak in livestock. The outbreak was identified in the Germa municipal unit of Argos Orestiko municipality and confirmed by laboratory report dated 5 August 2026. The decision on implementing these measures was made by the Veterinary Sub-directorate of the regional unit.

Under the decision, the export of animals and animal products from Kastoria region is prohibited. Simultaneously, livestock transactions involving sheep and goats are banned across the entire regional unit to halt any transmission pathways through animal movement. Strict grazing prohibitions are also imposed in the zones designated around the outbreak site.

Geographically, a protection zone with a five-kilometre radius and a surveillance zone with a twenty-kilometre radius have been established around the disease outbreak point. These two zones cover dozens of communities in the area, each subject to different restriction levels depending on distance from the outbreak. Animal slaughter is permitted only with authorisation from veterinary authorities, while raw milk distribution is allowed under specific conditions.

According to available data, following confirmation of the second outbreak, approximately one thousand animals are expected to be culled in the Germa area. Culling of infected livestock is a standard measure for sheeppox control, as the disease is highly contagious among sheep and goats with no cure available. The disease does not transmit to humans.

For livestock farmers in Kastoria, these measures mean complete suspension of commercial activity for the duration they remain in force. Sheeppox has affected several regions in recent years, triggering compensation mechanisms for losses in livestock capital and income. Similar measures are currently in effect in other areas, including Crete. The movement ban during peak milk production season affects secondary production as well, since local cheese-making facilities depend on supplies from area farms.

The duration of the restrictions has not been announced, as this depends on epidemiological developments and results from surveillance zone inspections. The exact number of affected farms and total livestock within the zones has not been clarified.

Next steps include veterinary inspections of farms in both zones and monitoring for any new outbreaks. Lifting the measures requires the passage of the prescribed period without new disease detection. Livestock farmers are urged to immediately report any suspect cases to the veterinary service and maintain biosecurity measures at their facilities.