National Veterinary Authority takes additional measures to prevent outbreak of sheep and goat pox in Romania

The National Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) ordered the establishment of additional measures to prevent the outbreak of sheep and goat pox in our country, after Bulgaria notified, through the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), the first outbreak of sheep pox."Following the confirmation on September 4, 2024 of the sheep and goat pox outbreak in Straldzha, Yambol region, Bulgaria, the National Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Authority took actions to prevent the introduction of the virus of this disease into Romania. Today [Thursday] a videoconference was organized with the County Veterinary and Food Safety Directorates (DSVSAs), during which the situation of the smallpox outbreak in Bulgaria was presented, including the restricted areas, the territorial structures were trained and the legislation regarding sheep and goat pox", the representatives of the institution say.ANSVSA representatives ordered the establishment of additional preventive measures, such as informing the representatives of the main associations of sheep and goat breeders in the county about the symptoms and evolution of the disease in Bulgaria and about the obligation to notify the veterinarian about animals that show changes in behavior, illnesses or cases of mortality.At the same time, the need and obligation of animal owners to notify the veterinarian whenever they observe animals with behavioral changes, illnesses or any case of mortality will be publicized.Also, information was sent regarding the obligation of animal owners to notify the veterinarian whenever they observe animals with changes in behavior, illnesses m cases of mortality, through printed materials (posters) to be posted at town halls, churches, etc.On the list of additional measures taken by ANSVSA representatives, there is the increased monitoring of sheep and goat animal transports within the intra-community trade with Bulgaria, including the analysis of their temporary suspension.At the same time, traffic controls will be intensified to identify any unauthorized transport of animals, especially on the border with Bulgaria."For each transport of sheep and goats, the veterinarian will assist the unloading of the animals from the means of transport and will perform a clinical examination of all the animals. The newly introduced animals will be kept in isolation for a period of 21 days until they are introduced into the indigenous herd", the press release states.According to the cited source, this information will be provided during the meetings organized by the County Veterinary and Food Safety Directorates with the representatives of the main associations of sheep and goat breeders and with those of the economic operators involved in the ruminant trade activity, from the county.ANSVSA has sent instructions to the territory through memos regarding the evolution of sheep and goat pox, both in Bulgaria and in Greece, which will be implemented by organizing meetings with the involved and interested parties.At the same time, ANSVSA requests economic operators in Romania involved in ruminant trade activity to pay maximum attention to the instructions sent by ANSVSA through the county DSVSAs, in order to protect their herds of small ruminants from this disease."Any suspicion of illness must be notified as soon as possible to the county DSVSAs", the press release informs.