Bulgarian Food Safety Agency detects sheep pox outbreak in Rudina

The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) has identified a secondary outbreak of sheep and goat pox at a livestock facility in the village of Rudina, located in the Krumovgrad municipality of the Kardzhali region. The facility houses 193 sheep. The outbreak was reported by the owner after clinical symptoms appeared in the animals.

Authorities have established a 5-kilometer protection zone and a 20-kilometer surveillance zone covering parts of the Kardzhali and Stambolovo municipalities. Within these zones, restrictive measures have been implemented in accordance with national and European legislation. These measures include a ban on the movement of sheep and goats, except for animals intended for immediate slaughter under specific conditions, and a requirement for animals to be kept under stall feeding.

Veterinary officials will conduct animal counts, data updates in the VetIS system, and epidemiological investigations to track the movement of animals, products, feed, and transport vehicles. While sheep and goat pox does not pose a threat to human health, officials warned that the outbreak could lead to significant economic damage.