Late yesterday evening and after the publication of the website gegonota.gr about the animal cemetery that was “hit” by smallpox, in Xeria of Almyros, the Veterinary Service of Magnesia contacted the Prosecutor’s Office of Volos and requested that an immediate order be given for an investigation, so that and with the help of the police to check all the units in the area.

According to the publication, a preliminary investigation was ordered almost at midnight and from this morning the police will start together with the Veterinary investigation in each unit from Aghialos to Almyros to identify unknown perpetrators, for environmental degradation and violation of disease prevention measures. In Xiria, dozens of dead animals have been found decomposing and the investigations will focus on the units from Aghialos to Almyros where the transmission of smallpox is rapid. The fact that a rancher or ranchers are killing smallpox-stricken animals and throwing them into the stream so they can slaughter and sell the ones that didn’t get sick has alarmed the authorities as the dead animals are eaten by dogs and crows and the virus is readily transmitted.