site.btaOvine Rinderpest Outbreak Detected in SE Village of Debelt

An outbreak of ovine rinderpest (PPR) has been detected in the southeastern village of Debelt, Burgas Region, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) reported Sunday. The sick animals were found at a farm with 183 small ruminants following an alert by the owner.  

A 3-kilometre protection zone and a 10-km monitoring zone around the outbreak have been established. These cover the town of Sredets and the villages of Debelt, Dyulevo, Drachevo, Trastikovo, Polski Izvor, Konstantinovo, Cherni Vrah, Livada, Rusokastron, and Prisad. Measures to control and eliminate the outbreak have been taken in accordance with EU and national law, including humane culling and disposal of all sick and contact animals at the farm, the BFSA said.

The owner will be compensated under the Veterinary Medical Activity Act.

The disease does not pose a danger to humans, but if it spreads, it will cause significant economic damage, the BFSA notes.