Mandatory Clinical Examinations for Sheep and Goats Due to Disease Threat
All sheep and goat herds along the borders are now required to undergo clinical examinations due to the threat of sheep plague. This is one of the measures being implemented by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) to protect the population of small ruminants in the country, as reported by agency officials. The situation regarding the plague is becoming increasingly dangerous, as the disease is encroaching from both Greece and Romania. The country has already suffered significant losses due to avian influenza, and the status of livestock is described as more than critical. This warning was issued by the Minister of Agriculture, Georgi Takhov, during a meeting of the Agriculture Committee in Parliament.
Severe Impact from Avian Influenza
Minister Takhov revealed that in just eight months, the avian influenza has led to the loss of 2 million hens, which accounts for nearly half of the poultry population that stood at 5 million last year.
Strict Measures to Prevent Sheep and Goat Plague
The BFSA is raising alarms and implementing strict measures to prevent the plague from decimating sheep and goat herds. In response to questions about additional measures beyond disinfection stations at the borders to prevent the disease from entering the country, veterinarians highlighted several initiatives. Firstly, they emphasized that the success of all implemented measures requires complete cooperation from herd owners, as well as from all individuals involved in the processes related to the movement and trade of sheep and goats. This is crucial because the disease is most easily transmitted through illegal trade of infected animals.
Peste des Petits Ruminants: A Serious Threat to Sheep and Goats
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly dangerous infectious disease that affects sheep and goats and is characterized by high mortality rates. The disease can spread over large areas, causing significant damage in affected countries, according to veterinarians. Symptoms include fever, elevated temperatures reaching up to 41 degrees Celsius, and signs of depression. Other clinical manifestations may involve discharge from the eyes, nose, and mouth, lesions in the oral cavity, dry and cracked muzzles and nostrils, diarrhea, coughing, and difficulty breathing and feeding. In affected herds, morbidity can reach up to 100%, with mortality rates ranging from 20% to 90%, as reported by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA).
Transmission and Precautions
It is important to note that the infection spreads through direct contact between sick and healthy animals, as well as via contaminated feed, equipment, vehicles, and bedding. Farmers who notice any of these symptoms or discover sick animals in their herds should immediately notify their registered veterinarian or the official veterinarian with whom they have a contract.
Situation in Romania
The exact manner in which the disease entered Romania remains unclear, although Romanian veterinary authorities and experts from the European Commission are conducting a thorough epidemiological investigation, according to the food agency. Reports from the specialized website Ovine and Caprine indicate that the disease has already reached the island of Crete, stemming from French breeding lambs that arrived on the island via Larissa, as cited by the Greek press.
The BFSA has reassured that the general breeding methods of animals are not directly linked to their infection with the PPR virus. However, animals raised outdoors that come into contact with other herds during grazing are at a higher risk of infection. The agency confirmed that PPR does not pose a health risk to humans. Affected animals can be identified through clinical signs, but a diagnosis of PPR is only confirmed through laboratory testing.
Food Agency Measures
One of the precautionary measures against the entry of particularly dangerous infectious diseases in animals, such as PPR, is the disinfection of all vehicles entering the country. Additional measures include:
- A ban on the holding of markets, exhibitions, or other gatherings of sheep and goats.
- The movement of sheep and goats within the country for fattening and slaughter will only occur after a clinical examination.
- The movement of sheep and goats for fattening, including male breeding animals used during the breeding season, will only be permitted after laboratory testing for the presence of the PPR virus with negative results.
- Mandatory clinical examinations are conducted in all sheep and goat farms located in border municipalities with Greece, Turkey, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Romania.
- In other municipalities, mandatory clinical examinations for PPR will take place during each visit to livestock operations raising sheep and goats.
These measures are essential to control the spread of the disease and protect the health of livestock populations.
Investigation of Animals Showing Signs Similar to Small Ruminant Plague
In recent veterinary assessments, animals exhibiting symptoms akin to those of small ruminant plague have been identified. The protocol for such cases mandates the collection of samples for virological examination, which includes ocular nasal swabs and/or whole blood samples.
This initiative aims to ensure the health and safety of livestock by promptly diagnosing and managing potential outbreaks. The timely testing of affected animals is crucial in preventing the spread of this contagious disease among small ruminants.
