Greece has officially regained its status as a country free of peste des petits ruminants (PPR), effective August 18, 2026, following a decision by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) recognizing the successful eradication of the disease after a request submitted by Greece’s veterinary authorities.

The decision was officially communicated to the Ministry of Rural Development and Food in a letter from WOAH Director General Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran, following an assessment by the Organization’s Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases of the evidence submitted by the Ministry’s Directorate General of Veterinary Services.

According to WOAH, Greece meets the requirements of Article 14.7.7 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, leading to the restoration of its officially recognized status as a “PPR-free country.” The restoration has already been recorded on WOAH’s official website.

The international organization specifically praised Greece’s handling of the disease. WOAH highlighted the country’s transparency and capacity in detecting the disease and successfully managing outbreaks, as well as its efforts to restore its official disease-free status.

The development represents significant international recognition of the systematic efforts made by the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, the Veterinary Services of the Regions and Regional Units, ELGO, ELGA, OPEKEPE, EFET, the Meat Professions Schools, the Veterinary Schools of the University of Thessaly and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as well as the Agricultural University of Athens and all other agencies involved.

These efforts focused on containing a highly contagious disease through the implementation of the prescribed surveillance, control and eradication measures. The major contribution of the Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Thessaly was also highlighted.

It is recalled that following the detection of a case of peste des petits ruminants in Kastraki, Kalabaka, in Thessaly, Greece’s official status as a country free of the disease was suspended effective July 12, 2024. The Hellenic Republic subsequently submitted a request for the restoration of its status, which was assessed by the relevant WOAH Scientific Commission.

The restoration of the status confirms the effectiveness of the efforts undertaken and strengthens Greece’s international credibility in the field of animal health.

Statement by the Secretary General for Rural Development and Food, Spyros Protopsaltis:

“The decision of the World Organisation for Animal Health represents significant international recognition of the major effort undertaken to address peste des petits ruminants. Greece has regained its disease-free status and, most importantly, an international scientific organization has recognized the transparency, capacity and effectiveness demonstrated by the Greek veterinary authorities in managing the outbreaks. This achievement belongs primarily to the personnel of the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the Regions, who worked consistently and with scientific expertise under particularly demanding conditions, as well as to everyone who contributed to the implementation of the measures. We will continue with the same seriousness, strengthening surveillance and biosecurity, because protecting the country’s livestock and Greek animal husbandry requires constant vigilance and cooperation.”

Statement by the Director General of Veterinary Services, Katerina Marinou:

“The restoration of Greece’s status as a country free of peste des petits ruminants is the result of a coordinated and demanding effort by the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food—including the National Reference Laboratory for peste des petits ruminants—and the affected regions at every level. This effort also involved veterinarians from ELGO, ELGA, OPEKEPE and EFET, the Meat Professions Schools, the Veterinary Schools of the University of Thessaly and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as well as the Agricultural University of Athens. The eradication of the peste des petits ruminants virus was achieved thanks to the immediate organization of the largest veterinary mobilization ever undertaken in the country. Recognition by WOAH confirms the effectiveness of the measures implemented and the importance of scientific evidence, surveillance and cooperation.”