Kyustendil region sees two scrapie outbreaks in sheep and goats

The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) has identified two primary outbreaks of scrapie in sheep and goats within livestock facilities in the Kyustendil region. The outbreaks are located in the villages of Pastuh (Nevestino municipality) and Novi Chiflik (Kyustendil municipality). The affected facilities house 29 and 8 small ruminants, respectively.

In response, authorities have established 5-kilometer protection zones and 20-kilometer surveillance zones around the outbreaks. These zones encompass numerous settlements across the municipalities of Kyustendil, Nevestino, Bobov Dol, Boboshevo, Dupnitsa, Kocherinovo, and Rila, as well as parts of the Blagoevgrad and Pernik regions.

Restrictive measures have been implemented, including a ban on the movement of sheep and goats, except for animals designated for immediate slaughter under specific conditions. Livestock must be kept under enclosure. The BFSA will conduct animal counts, update the VetIS information system, and perform official veterinary medical inspections. Special requirements also apply to the movement and processing of raw milk from the affected areas to control and eliminate the disease in accordance with national and European legislation.