Sheep and goat pox outbreak detected in Haskovo region, Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency confirmed a primary outbreak of sheep and goat pox in the village of Tyanovo, Simeonovgrad municipality, Haskovo region. The disease was identified in a livestock facility holding 65 sheep, marking the first case recorded in the region this year.

Authorities established a 5‑kilometre protective zone and a 20‑kilometre surveillance zone that include dozens of villages and towns across Haskovo and neighbouring Stara Zagora provinces. Restrictive measures prohibit the movement of sheep and goats, except for animals earmarked for immediate slaughter, and require livestock to be kept on a rotation system. All farms within the zones will undergo animal counting and data updates in the Integrated Veterinary Information System (VetIS), with intensified official veterinary control. Raw milk from the affected areas must meet special transport and processing requirements. While the disease does not pose a direct risk to humans, officials warned of potential significant economic losses and urged farmers to maintain heightened bio‑security vigilance.