FMD outbreaks on Lesbos have been recorded since 15 March 2026. Since then, the disease has spread rapidly across the island, particularly in its northern part.
Most affected farms kept sheep, goats or cattle. Of the 192 infected holdings, only a few kept pigs.
According to the latest data from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the outbreaks have resulted in the culling of:
- 54,245 sheep;
- 26,635 animals in mixed sheep and goat herds;
- 761 cattle;
- 213 goats;
- 72 pigs.
In total, this represents around 20% of all farm animals on Lesbos.
Army to Coordinate Key Disease-Control Measures
Political tensions over disease control intensified after the Lesbos authorities decided to stop culling animals on infected farms.
In response, Greece’s central government brought the armed forces into the operational coordination of control measures.
The new mechanism covers the transport of animals, carcasses and animal by-products, supervision of livestock culling, sanitary burial or incineration, disinfection of vehicles and premises, and monitoring of protection and surveillance zones.
An armed forces officer is expected to be appointed as the main coordinator in each affected region.
Greek Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Thanasis Kavvadas stressed that the highly contagious nature of FMD leaves no room for delays or a lack of coordination between services.
According to him, disease surveillance on Lesbos has already covered around 80% of the island, with inspections carried out on more than 3,115 farms.
Farmers Have Already Received €7.3 Million in Compensation
According to Kavvadas, around €7.3 million has already been paid to producers in compensation for culled animals and lost income.
At the same time, additional support measures, including compensation for feed costs and spoiled milk, remain unresolved.
Protests by local farmers and livestock producers are continuing on the island amid the disease-control measures, with demonstrators expressing dissatisfaction with the authorities’ actions and the consequences of large-scale livestock culling.
More Than 80,000 Animals Also Culled Due to FMD in Cyprus
FMD has also spread in Cyprus this year. The situation stabilised there during the summer, with the latest outbreak recorded in early June.
A total of 121 outbreaks were reported on the island, resulting in the culling of more than 80,000 animals.
These included almost 25,000 pigs, more than 3,000 cattle, around 1,200 goats and over 26,000 animals in mixed sheep and goat herds.
FMD affects pigs, cattle, sheep and goats and can spread rapidly between susceptible animals, which is why controlling the disease requires strict animal health measures.
PigUA.info, based on materials from foodagribusiness.world