The Directorate of Veterinary Medicine in the Prefecture of Heraklion has introduced preventive measures to curb the potential spread of sheep pox following a suspected case in the Municipality of Archanon-Asterousia.

According to an official statement, the measures include:

• A ban on the movement of live sheep and goats, as well as their meat, carcasses, feed, materials, waste, droppings, bedding, manure, or any objects that could transmit sheep pox, beyond the boundaries of the Heraklion Regional Unit.
• The prohibition of transporting other types of live animals that could mechanically spread the disease outside the Heraklion Regional Unit.

Sofia Lambrinidis, deputy head of the Directorate of Veterinary Medicine, stated that samples from the suspected case have already been sent to Athens for testing. She emphasized the importance of farmers strictly adhering to biosecurity measures to prevent the disease’s spread.

Stavros Tzedakis, deputy regional director of the Agricultural Economy, underscored the seriousness of the situation and urged farmers to demonstrate the same level of responsibility they exhibited during previous disease outbreaks, such as the measures taken during the plague.