A new monthly record was registered in October 2025 for deaths of sheep and goats due to plague, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.
The total number of animals that died exceeded 75,000, while since the crisis began in August 2024, the number reaches 403,925 sheep and goats.
Plague: Controls and arrests for violating biosafety measures
Controls were intensified in areas with disease outbreaks, with cooperation between the Ministry, Greek Police and Regional authorities.
From October 21 to 31, 2,711 on-site inspections were conducted across six Regions (Central, Eastern and Western Macedonia, Thessaly, Central and Western Greece).
According to the announcement, 13 violations were found and 8 arrests were made for violating biosafety measures, under Article 285 of the Penal Code.
Special attention was given to the Central Macedonia Region and specifically Serres Prefecture, where 77 new cases were recorded. There, 533 inspections were conducted, resulting in two arrests.
Plague: Threat to feta cheese – National Scientific Committee statement
The National Scientific Committee for Plague Management and Control, led by Spyros Protopsaltis, emphasizes that strict adherence to biosafety measures is the only effective tool to limit virus spread.
The Committee reminds that no approved vaccine exists from the European Union or the Greek State and that vaccination has not proven effective, leading to endemic disease status in countries that implemented it.
Mr. Protopsaltis stated: “With a unified operational plan and close cooperation with Regional authorities and Greek Police, we are intensifying controls at outbreak sites while systematically informing livestock farmers. Only through consistency and transparency will we win this battle.”
The Ministry emphasizes that controls will continue with zero tolerance for violations, as the problem threatens not only livestock production but also the national feta cheese product, which strengthens the trade balance with exports exceeding 1 billion euros annually.
