EU calls for the immediate culling of infected animals in Velingrad

The European Commission is insisting on the urgent implementation of strict measures to eradicate the outbreak of sheep plague in Velingrad.

In a statement, the Directorate-General for Crisis Preparedness in Food, Animals and Plants of the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety said that further delays by the Bulgarian authorities endanger the health of sheep and goats not only in Bulgaria but throughout the EU. It stresses that peste des petits ruminants is a highly contagious viral disease that must be eradicated immediately once detected.

It states that Bulgaria has confirmed the infection following laboratory testing in a national reference laboratory in accordance with EU regulations. The Directorate added that once the infection is confirmed, no further sampling is required for confirmation.