Agrowing sheeppox outbreak has triggered panic among Greek livestock farmers, leading some to take extreme — and unlawful — measures to protect their animals. According to a report by MEGA TV, several farmers are allegedly illegally importing and administering unlicensed vaccines from Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt, despite strict bans imposed by both the European Union and Greek authorities.
Unregulated vaccines linked to further outbreaks
These vaccines, sold for roughly €3.50 per animal, are not certified for use within the EU and are believed to cause adverse effects among livestock. Veterinary experts warn that the use of these products might be contributing to the spread of the disease, rather than preventing it.
Exploiting fear and uncertainty
“Some are exploiting the fear of farmers,” said Konstantinos Milios, president of the Panhellenic Association of Veterinarians. “People are anxious about losing their herds and livelihoods, and some opportunists are taking advantage of that.”
Milios added that authorities face major challenges in controlling the illegal trade of these vaccines. “It’s something that cannot easily be monitored. The problem is that these vaccines make it impossible to distinguish the virus strain from the vaccine strain — and that’s a serious issue.”
He also warned that vaccination alone is not a solution. “Farmers must be convinced that biosecurity measures can protect them. Vaccines like these, with only 50–60% effectiveness, are not a cure-all.”
Expert: “Unapproved and dangerous”
Spyros Kritas, a professor of veterinary medicine at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, stressed that such vaccines pose both scientific and legal risks. “For a vaccine to be authorized, there must be proper testing and time for evaluation. Since sheeppox is a notifiable disease, handling the virus or developing vaccines without permission is prohibited — even for scientists,” he said.
He concluded with a stark warning: “This practice is dangerous and punishable by law. Anyone caught using or distributing these vaccines could face imprisonment.”
As Greece continues to battle the outbreak, authorities are urging farmers to cooperate with veterinary services and rely solely on approved prevention measures — not on the black market.
