Sheep Pox Kills Up to 10,000 Head Across Macedonia, Farmers Demand Faster Vaccination
Livestock breeders met with veterinary officials in Prilep as the disease continues destroying herds, with a 500,000-dose vaccine donation from Turkey still en route.
Sheep pox continues to devastate flocks across Macedonia — according to the latest estimates from the Association of Sheep Breeders, between 7,000 and 10,000 head have died so far, with 40 to 50 herds completely wiped out, leaving dozens of families without their primary source of income.
Representatives of livestock farmers met today in Prilep with the Food and Veterinary Agency and the payments agency, demanding urgent action. The east of the country is hardest hit, according to their data, with new outbreak sites appearing daily. Farmers in the southwestern region, where the situation remains more favorable, requested their flocks not be vaccinated while resources focus on the worst-affected areas.
A Donation From Turkey En Route
Authorities announced a donation of 500,000 vaccine doses secured from Turkey, expected to arrive soon, and additional support has been requested from an international team of experts. Farmers, however, say the response has been too slow — the vaccination question has already been under discussion for over a month, while herds continue to shrink.
The Association of Sheep Breeders is demanding three concrete steps: accelerated vaccination, higher compensation for lost livestock, and a dedicated fund to support the hardest-hit farmers.
MKNews Hub · Economy · August 24, 2026