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Anthrax outbreaks in Hungary and Bulgaria

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-31 16:24 UTC → 2026-09-08 18:40 UTC · added removed

In mid-August 2026, the National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) confirmed anthrax in a cattle herd in Hungary’s Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county after six animals died abruptly. Authorities suspected the infection originated from contaminated pastureland. In response, officials implemented a local lockdown and a vaccination program for the affected herd. By late August, the situation expanded to Bulgaria’s Lovech region. The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) confirmed a primary outbreak in the village of Stefanovo at a livestock farm housing 205 cattle. Three individuals—a married couple and a friend—tested individuals tested positive for the cutaneous form of the disease and are receiving treatment at the University Hospital ‘Dr. Georgi Stranski’ in Pleven. treatment. The infection is suspected to have occurred after the farm owner slaughtered consumed meat from a cow that showed signs of illness on August 16 and consumed 16. By early September, the meat. outbreak expanded across Bulgaria. The owner has denied selling, gifting, or distributing BFSA confirmed additional cases in the meat. Authorities have identified 21 contact persons, including family members, a village deputy mayor, police officers, and employees from Tsar Kaloyan municipality near Razgrad, specifically in the Regional Food Safety Directorate village of Ezerche, involving 170 cattle. Similar outbreaks have been reported in Lovech. These individuals are being monitored regions near Silistra and provided with consultations from infectious disease specialists or post-exposure antibiotic prophylaxis. Haskovo. In response, Governor Plamen Hristov convened a regional epidemiological commission. The Stefanovo farm is under quarantine, response to the Razgrad cases, authorities have restricted animal movement, mandated vaccinations, and implemented disinfection measures protocols. No new human infections have been implemented across the site, slaughtering areas, and pastures. Veterinary teams have vaccinated reported in these specific areas. Dr. Angel Mavrovski, former director of the 205 cattle at BFSA, has criticized the affected farm agency, alleging an “administrative collapse” caused by political appointments and 181 sheep insufficient state control. Mavrovski warned of risks from three other facilities in Stefanovo. Officials maintain there is no danger to the general population, as the disease is not transmitted person-to-person illegal imports, particularly dairy from Turkey, and highlighted potential disinfection failures in the infected meat did not enter Lovech region following the commercial market. initial detections.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-08 18:40 UTC Anthrax outbreaks in Hungary and Bulgaria
  2. 2026-08-31 16:24 UTC Anthrax outbreaks in Hungary and Bulgaria
  3. 2026-08-27 11:04 UTC Anthrax outbreaks in Hungary and Bulgaria
  4. 2026-08-26 22:35 UTC Anthrax outbreaks in Hungary and Bulgaria
  5. 2026-08-26 21:28 UTC Anthrax outbreaks in Hungary and Bulgaria
  6. 2026-08-26 18:00 UTC Anthrax outbreaks in Hungary and Bulgaria

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