The Ministry of Rural Development and Food advises that, as part of the surveillance and sampling in the field for foot-and-mouth disease in Lesvos, during the period from 15 March 2026 to 4 May 2026, the following data have been recorded:
A total of 674 flocks were tested, namely 575 sheep flocks, 12 goat flocks, 15 cattle flocks and 72 mixed flocks.
During the inspections, 76 confirmed cases were identified in 116 positive flocks. At the same time, 22,957 animals were tested by blood sampling, while a total of 36,089 samples were received at the National Reference Laboratory for laboratory testing.
The competent veterinary services continue intensive surveillance, inspections and systematic laboratory investigation, with the aim of fully monitoring the epidemiological picture and effectively implementing the prescribed measures.
The Ministry of Rural Development and Food calls on farmers, traders, transporters, slaughterhouses, dairy businesses and all those involved in the production and distribution chain to strictly comply with the instructions of the competent veterinary authorities. Compliance with the measures is critical to contain the disease, protect livestock and safeguard the production of the island.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a extremely contagious viral disease affecting tolerant animals, such as cattle, blood sheep and pigs, and is characterised by high transmissibility and rapid spread. It is transmitted both by direct contact and indirectly through contaminated objects, vehicles, equipment or human activity and can also be transmitted aerially, significantly increasing the risk of contamination of neighbouring farms.
It is not transmissible to humans and does not pose a threat to public health, but it is among the most dangerous diseases of productive animals and requires the immediate implementation of strict control, biosecurity and movement restriction measures.
