“There is no public health risk from plague of small ruminants“, emphasized the Minister of Rural Development and Food Kostas Tsiaras, after a broad meeting held in the Region of Thessaly, on the occasion of the outbreak of the disease in units in Domeniko Elassonas and Meteora Trikala.

The aim of the meeting was the best possible coordination and the immediate implementation of the measures envisaged by the EU, for the eradication of the plague of small ruminants.

Mr. Tsiaras clarified that the disease concerns only sheep and goats and in no case is it transmitted to other species of animals. At the same time, both the managers of the veterinary services and the scientific staff of the Veterinary School of the University of Thessaly, it became clear that the consumption of milk and meat poses no risk to public health, as long as the rules laid down by the EU are respected.

The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Ministers of Rural Development and Food, Christos Kellas, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Christos Triandopoulos, the Secretary General of Rural Development and Food, Giorgos Stratakos, the Regional Governor Dimitris Kouretas, the Deputy Regional Governor of Larissa Maria Galiou, the Deputy Regional Governor of Trikalon Chrysa Dintis, the deputy regional governor of the primary sector Dimitris Tsetsilas, the head of Civil Protection of the Thessaly Region general Ilias Leontaris, the commander of the 5th Ministry of Health Fotis Seretis, the general police director of Thessaly Thomas Karanasios, the mayor of Elassona Nikos Gatsas and officials of the veterinary department of the region.

Then there was a meeting with local breeders. The Minister of Rural Development and Food Kostas Tsiaras announced that the licenses of all YPAAT veterinarians have been revoked but also of the supervised entities so that groups of approximately 100 veterinarians proceed with the implementation and observance of the imposed measures, as provided by the European regulations. On Monday, the control of the 3 km protection zone is completed and by Friday it is expected that the control of the 10 km surveillance zone will be completed. As the minister pointed out, all the animals in the 10 km surveillance zone will be subjected to clinical control , while samples will also be taken for laboratory testing.

Referred to in the measures taken Kostas Tsiaras emphasized that the plague of small ruminants does not pose any danger to humans. He also said that there must be absolute compliance with EU regulations and measures to deal with and eradicate the disease. He referred to the mandatory cooperation of all those involved for the implementation of the measures, while speaking about the role of the government he noted that “it will stand by the side of the livestock farmers who have been affected. It will support them in every way, utilizing every European and national resource, to get back on their feet.” “There is no need for panic, but seriousness and responsibility from everyone”, stressed Mr. Tsiaras and added that “our country, with the faithful implementation of the measures, sends a message of seriousness and security”.

For his part, Christos Kellas said, among other things, that “we call attention and ask for the vigilance of all breeders in the region, but also their close cooperation with the veterinary services of the Region, with the observance of all health rules and protection measures, so that to have immediate and effective intervention in the event of the presence of sick or suspicious animals”. The Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Christos Triandopoulos said that in cooperation with all the agencies involved, state aid is being activated, with an emphasis on livestock farmers with losses and with adverse economic effects.

“Targeted, precisely, and since we will have a complete picture, the Region of Thessaly will also be supported with extraordinary funding for the operational management of this difficult situation. And we will all continue in close cooperation” said Mr. Triandopoulos.

In order to limit and eventually eradicate the disease, there must be, as emphasized by the head of the Ministry of Rural Development, Giorgos Stratakos, honesty on the part of the breeders so that the competent services and veterinarians are informed of the suspicion of a possible case and immediate treatment and proper implementation of the measures .

In the last four years, Greece has faced cases of zoonotic diseases. African swine fever, mink coronavirus, sheep pox. With the faithful implementation of EU protocols and measures, the specific diseases were eradicated and their implementation is expected to lead to a similar result in the case of the plague in small ruminants, Mr. Stratakos estimated.

For the management of the disease, with the aim of its eradication, it was said that what is mentioned in the emergency response plan for the fight against the diseases of Annex 1, of PD 138/1995 Official Gazette 88/t.A is being followed as well as all the measures provided for in Regulation (EU) 2020/687.

Specifically, they apply:

  • Measures on the contaminated farm (killing and sanitary burial of animals)
  • Demarcation of Protection and Surveillance Zones around infected breeding.
  • Measures in the above zones.
  • Measures in the Regional Unit where the case was found.
  • Conducting epidemiological research.

The regional governor of Thessaly Dimitris Kouretas, expressed his optimism for the treatment of the disease and emphasized that “it is a zoonotic disease and does not affect humans”. He expressed his satisfaction with the immediate implementation of EU regulations and the cooperation with the FSA.

“As soon as the first case was detected, the Region’s services drew up a plan for epidemiological surveillance, which is the key to being able to understand where the disease has been transferred. Today they are taking samples from the corrals around the place where the case was detected yesterday. In the small zone of three km there are about 60 units and 13,500 animals. So we start today” said Mr. Kouretas and added: “We take the samples we take today to Athens at 5:00 in the morning. We will have a first picture of the checks that will be carried out until Sunday, on Monday at noon. By next Friday, the inspection will be finished in both zones. We remain vigilant and in cooperation with the ministry.”

Both the representatives of the veterinary services and the representatives of the university community emphasized to the breeders that the milk, after undergoing heat treatment of high pasteurization, is absolutely safe for direct human consumption and processing. And meat can be eaten only after heat treatment.

During a press conference, when asked where the disease came from, the Minister of Rural Development said that “we are waiting for the final results of the epidemiological investigation to be able to have a safe conclusion”.

When asked about the compensations that will be given to farmers whose animals will be killed, Mr. Tsiaras said that “when the picture of the magnitude of the problem is complete, specific announcements will be made”, assuring those affected that the government, as it has done and in previous cases, he will stand by them and support them.