A total of 153 veterinarians and veterinary staff will be in Larissa to tackle the pox of blank sheep, as announced by the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Christos Kellas and the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Spyros Protopsaltis, during the meeting held in the Larissa Region, which was attended by the regional governor, Dimitris Kouretas and representatives of local authorities and the Greek Police.

These are 81 veterinarians and 72 other scientific staff of the YPAT Veterinary Department, while, as announced, from Monday 22 September, there will be disinfections at 17 checkpoints throughout Thessaly.

“We are here to tackle smallpox affecting the sheep and goat industry. The reinforcement with more than 150 veterinarians and members of the Ministry of Veterinary Medicine and the creation of 17 disinfection stations will contribute decisively to stabilising the situation, with the strict implementation of measures and the support of the police in controls,” he said.

For his part, Protopsaltis noted: “We are fighting the battle to stop smallpox here and now. With enhanced controls, mobilization of additional veterinarians, and the cooperation of all agencies, we are shielding our livestock industry and protecting the income of producers.” “We will not let the disease threaten our rural production and economy,” he added.

Kouretas spoke of a critical situation, stressing, “We are at war. Until today, five disinfection stations have been operating. From Monday, we will reach seventeen, to shield our livestock industry and protect the income of the producers.”

“We are in a war.

During the meeting, the emergency measures to be implemented in Thessaly and the affected areas of the country to deal with smallpox in cattle were discussed.

As announced, 153 veterinarians and veterinary staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the organizations supervised by it will be mobilized immediately in the regions affected (supporting the work of the competent DACs), to contribute to the controls, the surveillance of animals, and the implementation of prevention measures.

At the same time, from Monday, 17 disinfecting stations are put into operation (until today, five were operating), at key points of road axes in Thessaly, significantly strengthening the defense against the spread of the disease.

Finally, according to the announcement of the Ministry, after the conclusion of the meeting, a visit to a disinfecting station in Makrichori took place.