153 Livestock Farms To Be Tested For Sheep and Goat Pox

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Authorities have launched a new phase of surveillance for sheep and goat pox in Epirus, with veterinary services beginning serological testing at 153 livestock farms across the region.

Under a programme run by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, veterinary teams will collect blood samples from 15 animals at each farm. The programme will continue until December 31, 2026, and forms part of a wider surveillance effort covering nine regions of mainland Greece.

The testing aims to identify antibodies against the sheep and goat pox virus and determine whether animals may have previously been exposed to the disease.

Animals over one year old prioritised

Veterinary authorities will prioritise animals over one year old, as well as animals showing lesions that could indicate a previous infection.

A positive or inconclusive result will not automatically constitute a final diagnosis. Under the relevant circular, authorities will send samples to the National Reference Laboratory for confirmation.

The testing process has nevertheless raised concern among livestock farmers, who want clear answers about what authorities will do if tests detect antibodies.

Farmers seek clarity over next steps

The main unresolved issue concerns the management of animals and farms where authorities detect antibodies.

The Panhellenic Union of Public Service Veterinarians has already called for a clear and comprehensive plan covering the measures that would follow positive findings.

Veterinarians argue that the circular does not adequately clarify this issue, raising questions about what will happen to farms that return positive results.

Critical period for Epirus livestock sector

The surveillance programme carries particular importance for Epirus, where sheep and goat farming forms a major part of the region’s primary production sector.

The coming months will prove critical as authorities move beyond monitoring the spread of the disease and gather detailed serological data. The results could trigger the health protocols provided for under the relevant disease-control measures, adding to farmers’ concerns about the future of their herds.

The serological surveillance programme will continue until the end of 2026, with attention now focused on the test results and, above all, what authorities will do at farms where antibodies are detected.

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