What changed
2026-08-31 09:07 UTC → 2026-09-12 22:05 UTC ·
added
removed
In By late July 2026, Bulgarian authorities reported a primary outbreak of sheep and goat pox in the village of Tyanovo, Haskovo region. A 5-km protection zone and a 20-km surveillance zone were imposed, restricting animal movement and mandating heightened veterinary controls. A week later, August, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BABH) (BFSA) confirmed a scrapie outbreak affecting approximately 220 two additional sheep and goats on pox outbreaks. On August 31, the agency identified two linked farms more outbreaks: one in Teshovo, Blagoevgrad Province. Similar protective and surveillance zones were established, owners were offered compensation, and strict movement bans were applied while investigations traced animal and product flows. By early August, the same village of Teshovo faced a foot-and-mouth disease (sharka) outbreak. Authorities culled 220 infected or contact Blagoevgrad region affecting 202 animals across two linked facilities, and expanded another in the Yambol region involving 135 sheep and their offspring. Both incidents triggered 5-km protection zones and 20-km surveillance zone to 20 km, covering the municipalities zones spanning parts of Hadzhidimovo, Sandanski, Gotse Delchev, the Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil, Yambol, Sliven, and Garmen. In mid-August, following a Burgas regions. Movement bans for sheep pox outbreak in the Plovdiv region, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency issued urgent warnings regarding religious observances. To prevent disease spread during the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the agency advised against transporting live and goats were implemented, allowing only specific animals for donations, sales, or religious offerings (kurvan) near churches and monasteries. The agency emphasized that religious events do not exempt owners from existing veterinary restrictions and prohibited unregulated slaughtering in public spaces. immediate slaughter. On August September 12, a new secondary outbreak of sheep and goat pox outbreak was confirmed detected in the village of Konush, Haskovo region, affecting 81 sheep. This marks Rudina, Krumovgrad municipality, within the third Kardzhali region. The outbreak in affected 193 sheep at a facility where the Haskovo region in recent weeks. owner reported clinical symptoms. Authorities established a 5-km protection zone around Konush and a 20-km surveillance zone zones covering multiple municipalities, including parts of Kardzhali. Movement bans for sheep the Kardzhali and goats remain in effect, with veterinary Stambolovo municipalities. Restrictive measures include stall feeding requirements and movement bans. While officials conducting noted the disease does not pose a threat to human health, they warned of potential significant economic damage. Veterinary officials continue epidemiological investigations to track animal and feed movement. By late August, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency confirmed two additional sheep pox outbreaks. movement of animals, products, feed, and transport vehicles.