site.btaNo Signs of Goat Plague and Sheep Pox in Yambol Region

There are no signs of plague and pox in sheep and goats in the Yambol Region so far, said Dr Stoyan Kolev of the Regional Food Safety Directorate on Wednesday. A total of 400 animals have been examined. Examinations are continuing and blood samples will only be taken from animals if disease is suspected.

Six villages in Yambol Region fall within a 10-kilometre surveillance zone because of a sheep pox outbreak in the village of Zhelyu Voyvoda in Sliven Region - Zimnitsa, Zavoy, Veselinovo, Kabile, Drazhevo and Hadzhidimitrovo. About 1,600 sheep and goats are kept there. Along with the inspections, the animal registers are being updated, Dr Kolev said.

Village mayors are assisting veterinarians. There is no tension among the owners in the settlements, preliminary talks have been held, Stancho Stavrev, Mayor of Tundzha Municipality, told journalists.

In the meantime, the ban on movement and trade for animals remains. The veterinary authorities are being assisted by the police, in accordance with the measures outlined at an emergency meeting of the regional epizootic commission.

"The traffic and security police have been assigned to control the transportation of animals. Instructions and a timetable have been given to those responsible for contacting a representative of the food agency," said Chief Inspector Todor Mishinev, head of the traffic police at the Yambol Regional Police Directorate.