Current Status of Ferry Services After the Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Is It Safe to Travel to Lesvos? Current Status of Ferry Services After the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak Last Updated: June 2026 One of the most frequently asked questions in recent weeks about Lesvos (Midilli) Island has been: “Is it safe to go to Lesvos?” Especially our guests traveling by ferry from Dikili, Ayvalık, and Aliağa understandably want to know the latest situation due to the foot-and-mouth disease detected in Lesvos in March. Based on the latest information published by Greek authorities, the European Union, and international veterinary organizations, we have summarized the current situation for you. --- What happened in Lesvos? On March 16, 2026, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was detected on Lesvos Island. This disease is a viral illness that affects cattle and small ruminants and has significant economic consequences for livestock farming; it is not an infection that commonly causes disease in humans. Following this, the Greek authorities and the European Union quickly took action by: - stopping animal movements, - imposing quarantine in risk areas, - assigning veterinary teams, - increasing biosecurity measures at ports and crossing points. --- Are ferry services to Lesvos still operating? Yes. As of today, passenger ferry services between Turkey and Lesvos—Dikili–Lesvos, Ayvalık–Lesvos, and Aliağa–Lesvos—are continuing. Some short-term cancellations in March and April were due not so much to the outbreak itself, but to farmers’ protests at the ports and operational reasons. Tourist passenger transport is currently continuing. --- Why are vehicles being disinfected at the ports? One of the measures many of our guests notice when disembarking from the ferry is the disinfection of vehicles. The reason is to protect livestock, not passengers. The foot-and-mouth virus can be spread through: - mud, - vehicle tires, - equipment, - cargo vehicles, - materials that have come into contact with livestock so vehicles are disinfected at the ports. This is a completely preventive biosecurity measure and is applied in many European countries during similar outbreaks. --- Is there any risk for tourists traveling to Lesvos? According to current scientific assessments, there is no significant health risk for tourism-related travel. Foot-and-mouth disease mainly affects: - cattle, - sheep, - goats, - pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals. There are no health screenings or travel bans in place for tourists. --- The European Union is closely monitoring the process In June 2026, the European Commission issued a new decision updating the protection and surveillance zones in Lesvos. The purpose of this decision is not to stop tourism, but to prevent the disease from spreading to other areas by keeping animal movements under control. At the same time, the circulation of certain dairy and animal products from controlled production facilities has begun to be permitted under specific conditions. This shows that the process is progressing in a manageable way. --- Our advice to Güven Travel guests Lesvos remains one of the most beautiful islands in the Aegean, with its natural beauty, historic villages, delicious cuisine, and hospitable people. The most important changes our guests will encounter when traveling to the island today are: - disinfection procedures at ports, - biosecurity checks, - additional veterinary inspections on certain commercial cargoes. Apart from that, daily life, restaurants, hotels, beaches, museums, and tourist areas continue to operate normally. --- Conclusion Strict measures are being implemented in Lesvos for the livestock sector due to foot-and-mouth disease. However, this does not mean that tourist travel has stopped. ✔ Ferry services are continuing. ✔ Passenger transport from Dikili, Ayvalık, and Aliağa is ongoing. ✔ Biosecurity measures such as vehicle disinfection are being applied at the ports. ✔ There is no significant risk to human health. As Güven Travel, we closely follow the announcements of official institutions and ferry operators and continue to provide our guests with the most accurate and up-to-date information. Useful Official Sources - European Commission – Foot-and-Mouth Disease Information: https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/animal-diseases/diseases-and-control-measures/foot-and-mouth-disease_en - EU Emergency Measures Decision (EU 2026/1330): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32026D1330