According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), as of mid-April the SAT-1 serotype of the virus has been confirmed in the northeastern part of the island within an approximately 4 km radius (West Lesbos municipality, including the villages of Pelopi, Napi and Mantamados). All infected farms are subject to full culling of animals, with carcasses buried on-site.
Outbreaks have mainly been recorded on small, family-run farms that keep multiple livestock species. Of the 22 affected farms, 10 had cattle, while the others kept sheep, goats, or a combination of both. In some cases, farms kept all three susceptible species. So far, no cases have been confirmed in pigs.
The epizootic situation has already had a major impact on the market: a ban on the movement of livestock products has been imposed on the island, complicating the sale of milk and cheese even for non-infected farms. Additional pressure comes from stricter veterinary requirements, falling prices, and limited access to processing facilities.
Sheep producers are facing particularly severe challenges, as slaughterhouses have been closed, preventing them from selling lambs. According to local media reports, around 70,000 sheep had to be slaughtered and consumed locally during the Easter period.
Farmers have been protesting for several days, blocking the port of Mytilini, which is also affecting transport links and tourism. The sector is calling for urgent government action on compensation and support measures.
Experts suggest the virus may have been circulating on the island before it was officially detected, as the disease often presents mild or asymptomatic cases in sheep, making early detection more difficult and facilitating its spread.
A similar epizootic situation is observed in Cyprus, where more than 70 FMD outbreaks have been confirmed since February, indicating a regional dimension of the threat and high risks of further spread.
PigUA.info, based on pigprogress.net