Concerns remain after new cases of sheep and goat plague appeared in Attica, although the competent authorities have stressed that there is no public health problem.
Speaking with ERT On Tuesday morning, the Minister for Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras reported that the European directive, which provides for the taking of specific measures, based on a protocol followed by the competent bodies, has been implemented from the outset.
Tsiaras stressed the need to isolate the virus, which, he explained, has an incubation period of 22 days. He clarified that this means that once a case is detected, there is a 30-day alert to isolate it and “close the circle.”
Regarding the origin of the virus, he said that “when exporting from one country and importing to another, it is possible that the animals appear healthy, but even so, this is an issue that we will look at and analyze through the creation of a commission that will take place in the coming days”. He also stated that the issue at this time is not “where the first case came from, but rather isolating the virus”.
“There is no public health issue – 9,000 animals were killed”
The minister reiterated that there is no public health problem, but stressed that slaughter is prohibited because the virus can be transmitted through it. He also noted that humans do not get sick, but if their clothes or shoes come into contact with the animal’s biological material, they could potentially transfer the virus to another herd.
He also insisted that the virus must be isolated and that is why the decision was made not to move herds, remembering that 9,000 animals were killed.
Regarding the possibility of compensation, he said that so far there has been no provision at European level, however he expressed the assessment that there will be a discussion at EU level. He also assured that the government will support the creators.