Greece regains disease-free status for PPR after successful containment

Greece has officially regained its status as free from peste des petits ruminants (PPR) after the World Organisation for Animal Health confirmed the disease’s elimination, marking a significant boost for trade and animal health.

Greece has regained its official status as free of peste des petits ruminants, or PPR, from 18 August 2026, after the World Organisation for Animal Health accepted Athens’ case that the disease had been eliminated, according to the Greek news agency ANA-MPA.

The decision followed an assessment by the organisation’s Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases of data submitted by the Directorate-General of Veterinary Services at the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. WOAH told the ministry in a letter from its director-general, Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran, that Greece met the requirements of Article 14.7.7 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

PPR is a highly contagious viral disease that affects sheep and goats, as well as some wild small ruminants. WOAH says it can devastate flocks and hit meat and dairy output, but it does not infect humans. Greece first lost its disease-free status after cases emerged in 2024, with outbreaks later requiring culling and movement controls.

The recovery of the status matters commercially as well as biologically, because WOAH recognition is closely tied to trade confidence and sanitary standards. In its assessment, the organisation praised Greece for transparency, effective detection and successful containment of the outbreaks, underlining the credibility of the veterinary response.

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