The smallpox outbreak is causing significant losses in Greece's goat and sheep farming sector, with the latest statistics from the National Scientific Committee for Management and Control of Smallpox revealing 2,113 confirmed cases and 2,620 affected farms reported between August 2024 and February 28, 2026. The total number of animal deaths attributed to the disease has now reached 481,359, posing a dire threat to the agricultural sector. Despite the Ministry of Rural Development's efforts to curb the epidemic, the situation remains critical, with ongoing cases reported even in the last two weeks of February 2026.

In recent data, the committee noted an occurrence of ten new cases in specific regions including Aetolia-Acarnania, Ilia, Rodopi, and Fokida during the period of February 16-28, 2026. The committee stresses the importance of adhering to biosecurity measures to mitigate the outbreak's impact, underscoring the urgent need for effective strategies to manage the spread of the disease amongst livestock. The movement restrictions imposed by the authorities have generated significant challenges for farmers, who are struggling to provide adequate feed for their animals while also seeking logistical solutions to continue their operations amidst the crisis.

With the ongoing threat of a large-scale smallpox outbreak affecting livestock, the economic repercussions on farmers are likely to be severe, potentially leading to reduced livestock populations and increased food shortages in the region. This crisis not only affects the agricultural economy but also threatens food security for local communities, indicating that urgent intervention and support from the government may be required to sustain the livelihoods of affected farmers and to stabilize the local agricultural industry.