Crete extends sheep and goat pox restrictions amid rising mainland cases

Crete has renewed its precautionary measures against sheep and goat pox until 3 September, as authorities aim to prevent the spread of the highly transmissible disease amid worsening conditions on the Greek mainland.

Crete has extended its precautionary restrictions on sheep and goat pox until 3 September, as authorities seek to keep the island free of the disease despite worsening conditions on the mainland.

According to the Crete regional administration, the island remains disease-free for now, but the sharp rise in cases elsewhere in Greece and the virus’s high transmissibility have prompted the renewal of controls from 21 August.

Movements of sheep and goats for slaughter remain permitted within Crete, while breeding transfers are restricted to the same regional unit. Relocation to seasonal pasture is also allowed, subject to the rules. Mixing animals from different holdings is banned, and every transfer must be supported by health certification and carried out in certified, disinfected vehicles.

Any animals moved to a new farm must stay in quarantine for 21 days. Imports of sheep and goats from the rest of Greece remain prohibited.

The regional authority has urged farmers to tighten biosecurity, with particular emphasis on disinfection, limiting visitors, isolating suspect or newly arrived animals, and checking stock daily. It has also called on slaughterhouses, dairies, transport firms, feed suppliers and private veterinarians to stay alert.

The measures will be reviewed on 3 September, depending on the epidemiological situation. Greece’s livestock sector has already been hit hard by the outbreak, with more than 450,000 animals culled nationwide, according to official committee figures.