Sheeppox, which killed 500,000 animals in 2025, is 3,700 yrs old: Research

Researchers at University College Dublin found that sheeppox, which caused the death of 500,000 animals in Greece in 2025, is around 3,700 years old. They analysed ancient manuscripts written on sheepskin parchment and found the earliest known evidence of the virus on Bronze Age sheep teeth. Researchers added that people saw animals suffering from unexplainable diseases as black magic victims.