Mytilene, Greece is facing increased vigilance due to the confirmation of a second case of foot-and-mouth disease. This latest incident involves a sheep farm located within the protection zone and is epidemiologically linked to an initial outbreak in cattle that was reported on March 16, 2026. In response to the outbreak, the Directorate General of Veterinary Services under the Ministry of Rural Development and Food has ordered the immediate culling of the infected livestock in compliance with EU regulations to prevent further spread of the virus.

To manage the situation, veterinary teams from the Ministry, alongside military veterinarians and experts from the European Commission, are being dispatched to the island to bolster surveillance and tracing efforts. The local government has also been proactive, declaring the regional unit of Lesbos to be in a State of Special Mobilization within Civil Protection since last Friday. This declaration allows for the swift activation of measures to tackle the crisis and mitigate the potential spread of the disease to other livestock or regions.

Farmers on the island have taken a stand by blocking access to the port as part of their response to the alarming situation. This development indicates the heightened concern among local agricultural communities regarding both the health of their livestock and the economic ramifications of a widespread outbreak. With strong governmental and local efforts underway, Mytilene aims to contain the outbreak effectively and minimize its impact on the agricultural sector and the broader community.