ATHENS, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Greek authorities confirmed on Tuesday three additional cases of foot-and-mouth disease on Lesvos Island, bringing the total number of confirmed infections on Greece's third-largest island to five.
The Ministry of Rural Development and Food reported that the new cases were identified in multiple livestock units involving cattle and sheep, according to the Greek official news agency AMNA. Following laboratory confirmation, authorities ordered the culling of all animals at affected farms and required thorough disinfection of the facilities.
Authorities have established a three-km protection zone around each outbreak site and implemented strict control measures, including bans on livestock transport and slaughter, as well as intensified veterinary inspections. Officials said products from farms within the restricted areas may circulate on the island only under strict conditions and with approval from local authorities.
Following the first confirmed case at a cattle facility last week, the Greek government ordered the suspension of milk sales from the island. The movement of animals, animal products, and feed within and outside Lesvos has also been prohibited, while infected herds are being culled. Veterinary services are working to trace the origin of the outbreak.
Lesvos produces approximately 70 tons of milk daily during this period. Due to the restrictions, farmers have been forced to discard milk, while lamb sales ahead of the April Easter season have largely come to a halt.
Farmers, livestock breeders, and local representatives staged a protest on Monday outside a government office on Lesvos, calling for immediate support to mitigate the economic impact of the containment measures.
The Greek government has pledged assistance to affected farmers. The outbreak comes amid ongoing challenges for the country's livestock sector. Since August 2024, outbreaks of sheep and goat pox have led to the culling of more than 470,000 animals across Greece, according to official data.
Greece last recorded an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001 in the Evros region of northern Greece. ■