The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) has introduced immediate control and eradication measures following the discovery of an outbreak of sheep and goat scab in two connected farms in the village of Vasil Levski, Karlovo Municipality. A total of 324 sheep and 10 goats are kept at the affected sites. The situation came to light after the owner, noticing clinical signs of the disease, self-reported to the competent authorities and provided full cooperation to veterinary officials. The disease does not pose a threat to human health but could lead to serious economic losses.
To limit the spread of the disease, two zones with different scopes have been established. The first is a 5-kilometer protection zone, which covers the town of Karlovo and the villages of Vasil Levski, Vedrare, Gorni Domlyan, Kurtovo, Marino Pole, and Sokolitsa in Karlovo Municipality, Plovdiv District. The second is a 20-kilometer surveillance zone, whose territorial scope includes:
- the towns of Banya and Kalofere, and the villages of Beguntsi, Bogdan, Voynigovo, Domlyan, Dabene, Iganovo, Karavelovo, Kliment, Moskovets, Mrachenik, Pevtse, and Prolom in Karlovo Municipality, Plovdiv District;
- the town of Sopot and the village of Anevo in Sopot Municipality, Plovdiv District;
- the town of Hisarya and the village of Mihiltsi in Hisarya Municipality, Plovdiv District;
- the villages of Gorna Mahala, Ivan Vazovo, Otets Paisievo, and Pesnopoy in Kaloyanovo Municipality, Plovdiv District;
- the villages of Svezhen and Sarnigor in Brezovo Municipality, Plovdiv District;
- the villages of Aleksandrovo, Manolovo, Osetenovo, Tuzha, and Tarnicheni in Pavel Banya Municipality, Stara Zagora District.
Strict restrictive rules are being applied in these zones. A ban on the movement of sheep and goats has been introduced, with the sole exception being animals designated for immediate slaughter under specific conditions. Herds must be kept under stall-feeding (indoor) conditions. A livestock census will be conducted at the farming facilities, information in the "VetIS" Integrated Information System will be updated, and official veterinary inspections will be carried out. Simultaneously, an epizootic investigation is being conducted to track vehicles, feed, products, and the movement of the animals themselves related to the outbreak. Special legal requirements must be followed during the processing and transport of raw milk from the affected areas.
The Regional Food Safety Inspectorate (RFSI) - Plovdiv reacted immediately to the case and, in cooperation with local authorities, is coordinating all activities to quickly contain the situation. According to national and European legislation, the owners of the facilities are entitled to compensation under the provisions of the Veterinary Medical Activity Act.
The BFSA draws attention to the need for increased vigilance and strict adherence to biosecurity measures by livestock owners. The early detection of the disease depends directly on regular animal monitoring. If there is any suspicion of scab in small ruminants, a veterinarian must be notified immediately, as timely information is critical to limiting the epizootia. Reports can be made 24/7 via the Agency's hotline: 0 700 122 99.
Media outlets recall that this is another similar case within two days, after the BFSA identified a primary outbreak of sheep and goat scab at a facility in the town of Haskovo, where 222 small ruminants are kept.