The Ministry of Rural Development and Food of Greece has launched a widespread veterinarian operation to combat the outbreak of small-ruminants plague (Peste des petits ruminants, PPR) in the Region of Western Greece. The operation aims to check 2,504 farms and 436,500 goats and sheep within the protection and supervision zones, as set along European rules. So far, a total of 18,335 animals have already been slaughtered or are slated to be killed.
The focus on the Region of Western Greece is based on epidemiological inspections and laboratory results for PPR. The capital of Patras and the city of Agrinio are serving as operational centers for veterinarians and other technicians who are continuously arriving from all over Greece. Specialists from the local regional units of Etoloakarnania and Ilia are already operating in the field, working to contain the spread of the disease.
The operation, initiated by Minister of Rural Development and Food of Greece Kostas Tsiaras, is being coordinated by Ministry Secretary General Giorgos Stratakos. It is expected to be larger in scale than a similar operation that took place in Thessaly, central Greece. The ministry is working diligently to complete the clinical inspection of all animals in the supervision zones to ensure that PPR has not spread further.
Of the five main loci of infection in the Region of Western Greece, three are in the Regional Unit of Etoloakarnania, and two are in the Regional Unit of Ilia. All five of these loci of infection are linked to contaminated animal feed from the Regional Unit of Larissa, in central Greece. Inspections are also being carried out on milk and in cheese factories in the region to ensure that all biosecurity measures are being observed.
The ministry is taking proactive measures to prevent the further spread of PPR by conducting thorough inspections and implementing strict biosecurity protocols. The goal is to protect the livestock industry in Greece and safeguard the health of the animals. By working together with veterinarians, technicians, and specialists from across the country, the ministry is dedicated to eradicating the outbreak and ensuring the safety of the agricultural sector in the Region of Western Greece.
