By decision of the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Costa Ciaraand on the occasion of the detection of plague of small ruminants in other regions of the country, outside of Thessaly, the movement of sheep and goats for breeding, fattening and slaughter is prohibited throughout the territory.

The upgrading of security measures is deemed necessary for the entire country for preventive reasons and with the aim of limiting the spread and eradication of the disease.

At the same time, the services of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, in collaboration with the Regions, continue the epidemiological investigation regarding the origin of the cases, but also the route of possibly suspect imports.

The detection of the case in a livestock unit in Messino of Sykionos Municipality in Corinthiaas well as the case in Falani in Larissawere achieved through the tracking process and the cases were identified before the symptoms even appeared, following a preventive investigation by the veterinary services of the HYPAAT in collaboration with the veterinary services of the Regions, based on the route followed by animals imported from a specific country.

In the area of ​​Messinos, all the protocols foreseen by the EU regulations have been activated. Already, teams of veterinarians are conducting checks in the 3 km protection zone and the 10 km surveillance zone.

On Saturday, a meeting was held under the Secretary General of the FSA, Giorgos Stratakos in Corinth and on Sunday in Patras, with the participation of the Regional Governor of Peloponnese and the vice-regions of Western Greece, since the 10 km surveillance zone also includes Achaia, as well as the competent officials of the YPAAT agents of both Regions.

The livestock farmers of the area have been informed of the measures taken as well as the cheese makers, slaughterhouse owners and feed suppliers.

The government is taking and will continue to take every measure provided for by European regulations, in order to limit and eradicate the plague of small ruminants, according to a statement from the Ministry of Rural Development.

At the same time, the competent services of the FSA are in daily communication and cooperation with the experts of the European Commission as well as the veterinary services of the member states, for the evaluation of the laboratory data and results with the aim of fully tracing and origin of the virus.