site.btaCaretaker PM Convenes Central Epizootic Council Amid Disease Outbreaks

In response to an unprecedented outbreak involving the simultaneous spread of two serious infectious animal diseases, sheep and goat pox and ovine rinderpest, caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev has convened a meeting of the Central Epizootic Council, scheduled for November 29, 2024, the government press service announced here on Thursday.

Glavchev called the meeting on the advice of caretaker Minister of Agriculture and Food Georgi Tahov.

The outbreaks of these highly contagious diseases, which are mainly transmitted through contact, often spread over long distances without direct epidemiological links and within the country's borders. This situation stresses the urgent need for stricter control measures and collaboration with other institutions to restrict animal movement, combat illegal trade, and raise awareness among stakeholders.

The statement concluded that since the beginning of the year, eight outbreaks of sheep and goat pox and one outbreak of ovine rinderpest have been recorded.