ATHENS: Greece has initiated a series of emergency measures to curb the spread of a sheep and goat pox outbreak that has affected multiple regions across the country. The Greek Agricultural Development and Food Ministry announced these actions on Tuesday, aiming to contain the contagious viral disease that poses a severe threat to livestock.

According to Azeri-Press news agency, the outbreak has led to the culling of 17,500 animals after cases were confirmed on 104 farms this autumn. In response, the ministry has imposed a nationwide ban on the transportation of goats and sheep for ten days. This ban is a precautionary measure as experts work to identify the origin of the disease.

The ministry has also ordered the closure of slaughterhouses for ten days and mandated tests in surveillance zones around affected farms. Kostas Tsiaras, the Greek Agricultural Development and Food Minister, emphasized that these measures are crucial, comparing the situation to the small-ruminants plague (PPR) earlier this year.

To support affected animal breeders, the ministry has committed financial compensation ranging from 150 to 500 euros for each animal culled, equivalent to about 162.5 to 540.16 U.S. dollars.