site.btaRuse Regional Administration on Risk of Rinderpest Spreading from Romania

In connection with an increase of the rinderpest outbreaks in Romania to 56, with a total of 232,283 infected animals by August 9 according to official information released there, Ruse Regional Governor Dragomir Draganov is in constant touch with the competent Romanian and Bulgarian authorities, the Regional Administration said on Friday.

For the time being, there is no need to introduce additional preventive measures against rinderpest in Bulgaria. No cases have been recorded so far in Giurgiu County, on which Ruse Region borders. There are no sick animals in Bulgaria, either.

The standing regional epizootic commission has introduced extra precautions, including meetings of all eight municipal epizootic commissions by August with the mandatory attendance by the mayors and lieutenant mayors, a requirement to notify immediately the authorities of the Interior Ministry and the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) of irregular movement of small ruminants and raising such unidentified animals, tightened control of each consignment of live animals from the affected countries, impoundment, clinical examinations and taking of samples, and more in-depth inspection of the animals referred to immediate slaughter. All transport vehicles entering the country from Romania are disinfected. The competent institutions call on stockbreeders and registered veterinarians to take a responsible approach to the situation and, if an infection of an animal is suspected, to alert the competent regional food safety directorates. BFSA also recommend to farmers to avoid trading in animals from Romania and Greece. Holding animal fairs and markets in small ruminants is suspended for the time being.