[size=55:36ck5iay]novinite

Bulgaria Registers First Case of FMD in 12 Years

The first case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has occurred in Bulgaria in the past 12 years on Wednesday.

A wild boar with FMD has been killed in the region of the south eastern Bulgarian city of Burgas. A 10 km security zone has been established and all vehicles passing through the region are being disinfected. All living animal trade in the Burgas region has been stopped.

The European Commission has already been informed about the accident.

FMD is highly contagious and, while it is not so dangerous for humans, a possible outbreak may cause severe economical damages, the Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov has explained.

"
Bulgaria may face a ban on the export of animal products if the disease is to spread,"
Naydenov has said.

Several centers of infection have already been registered in Turkey.

FMD is a sometimes fatal viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic animals such as cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs. Humans are very rarely affected.

Oh dear, just when you think things are on the up and up - this happens Hope this is the only case and they sort it out quickly.

Oddy

[size=55:3nncrl92]novinite

FMD-infected wild boar crosses Turkish-Bulgarian border;
authorities take urgent measures to stop disease’s spreading.



Sofia. The first case of FMD-infected animal, even though a wild one, has been detected by Bulgarian veterinary authorities. At an extraordinary press conference Minister of Agriculture and Food Miroslav Naydenov and Director of the National Veterinary Medical Service Dr. Yordan Voynov outlined the measures that are being adopted to stop the spreading of one of the most serious diseases among animals.
Measures for restriction of animals’ movement have been taken in the districts of Burgas, Haskovo and Yambol.
The previous case of FMD in Bulgaria is detected back to 1998.
Animals that are in biggest risk of FMD infection are the cows, pigs and small ruminants.
Minister Naydenov was explicit that authorities have taken all necessary measures to stop the spreading of the disease.
The infected wild boar came from Turkey. It was shot by a team of hunters close to the Kosti village, district of Burgas. The wild board was hot on December 30, 2010, while the results of the analysis were ready on January 4, 2011. It is almost certain that the disease detected in the animal comes from Turkey, where the FMD is widely spread and there are more than 1,000 centres of the disease in the Asian part of the country.
“In case of hoof-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak among domestic animals in Bulgaria, the animals will have to be killed and this measure will require financial compensations for the stock-breeders. The spreading of the diseases in Bulgaria may bring severe economic consequences for the country, including a ban on the export of animal products,” Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Food Miroslav Naydenov said at an extraordinary press conference, FOCUS News Agency reporter informs.
Animals that are in biggest risk of FMD infection are the cows, pigs and small ruminants.
Recently there was an FMD case in a shot wild boar, which came from Turkey. The case was detected on time, the minister said. For this purpose there is a restriction on animal movement in several districts in Bulgaria.

[size=55:1nk7kq0s]novinite

Fears of a foot-and-mouth (FMD) contamination are growing in Bulgaria with four regions in the country already under quarantine, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reported on January 6 2011.

Varna is the latest region to be affected, after a wild boar, shot two-and-a half kilometres from the Turkish border on December 30, was diagnosed as having been contaminated. A sample has been sent to the UK for further analysis, the report said. The wild boar apparently crossed into Bulgaria from Turkey.

FMD is not dangerous for humans, but the economic repercussions for the country could be substantial, BNT said, citing doctor Damyan Iliev.

Financial compensation for farmers whose animals are likely to be destroyed is also envisaged, the report said.

"
In case of FMD in the country, animals will have to be culled and this measure will require financial compensations for the stock-breeders. The spreading of diseases in Bulgaria may bring severe economic consequences for the country, including a ban on the export of animal products,"
Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov told Focus news agency.

Foot-and-mouth disease, FMD, is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic animals such as cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs, as well as antelope, bison and other wild bovids, and deer.

Looks like this is a lot worse than they first stated but then this is typical of Bulgaria they only tell half truths

[size=55:38pr6k6a]novinite

European Commission tables urgent protection measures after FMD threat in Bulgaria

The European Commission adopted urgent protection measures on January 6 2011 following the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in Bulgaria, the Commission said on its website.

The Commission's measures are supposed to increase the control measures for FMD already implemented by the Bulgarian authorities.

Regional commissions have adopted emergency measures against the spread of a foot-and-mouth (FMD) contamination in Haskovo, Bourgas and Yambol, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reported on January 7 2011.

Fears of an FMD epidemic are growing in Bulgaria with four regions already under quarantine, Varna being the latest as of January 6.

The Commission's measures pertain both to high-risk areas (such as the region of Burgas) and low-risk areas (such as the provinces of Yambol, Sliven, Shumen and Varna) and stipulate the rules for the safe trade of items produced before the restrictions.

Bulgarian border police have already restricted the import of animals into the country from Turkey. At the Lessovo border crossing point, all vehicles entering Bulgaria are being disinfected. Grazing farm animals are not to approach the Turkish border at a distance of less than 500 metres.

The sale of cloven-hoofed animals in the region is also forbidden until further notice. Seven veterinary teams have been deployed around Bourgas and are inspecting domestic, farm and wild animals. If any contaminated animals are found, the rest will be culled.

The measures includes "
epidemiological investigation, suspension of hunting and a ban in feeding wild animals, placing under official surveillance holdings keeping animals of susceptible species, inspection by an official veterinarian of all wild animals shot or found dead."
the report said.

They also include surveillance programmes and prevention measures applicable to the retention of animals of susceptible species and if necessary, in its surroundings, including the transport and movement of animals of susceptible species within, from and to the area.

[size=55:1bkddtd5]novinite

FMD spreads in Bulgaria with 37 new confirmed cases

Bulgarian authorities have confirmed the spread of foot-and-mouth (FMD) in the Bourgas village of Kosti, with 37 domestic animals reportedly infected, Bulgarian television channel bTV announced on January 10 2011.

There are other cases of FMD around the village also confirmed, Yordan Voinov from the national veterinary service told bTV.

"
This is most likely an infection in a very early phase, as only one cow from the entire cattle herd was found to be infected. Investigations conducted in the villages of Rezovo and Malko Turnovo proved negative,"
Voinov said.

"
By culling the animals and disinfecting the others, we are hoping to tackle the spread of the virus,"
he added.

In the course of the past few days, authorities checked 1600 animals in the Bourgas municipality and in regions near Haskovo and Yambol in the southeast. Of those, 500 animals will be destroyed, according to Dnevnik daily.

Last week, the regional commissions adopted emergency measures against the spread of the virus in Haskovo, Bourgas, Varna and Yambol.

For the first time in 45 years, a case of FMD was registered in the country after a wild boar crossed the border from Turkey near the village of Kosti. Authorities have started reconstructing the fence along the border where it had fallen apart, to prevent any other animals slipping in.

In turn, the European Commission took urgent protection measures on January 6 2011 to increase control measures for FMD already implemented by the Bulgarian authorities.

The Commission's measures pertain both to high-risk areas (such as the region of Burgas) and low-risk areas (such as the provinces of Yambol, Sliven, Shumen and Varna) and stipulate the rules for the safe trade of items produced before the restrictions.

The measures includes "
epidemiological investigation, suspension of hunting and a ban on feeding wild animals, placing under official surveillance holdings keeping animals of susceptible species, inspection by an official veterinarian of all wild animals shot or found dead,"
the report said.

Foot-and-mouth disease, FMD, is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic animals such as cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs, as well as antelope, bison and other wild bovids, and deer.

[size=55:w17lo88i]novinite

UKRAINE BANS IMPORT OF ANIMAL PRODUCTS FROM BULGARIA OVER FMD

Ukraine has banned all imports of animal products from Bulgaria because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Bulgarian Southeast.

As of January 10, 2011, Ukraine's State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service introduced the ban with respect to Bulgaria, UKRINFORM reported.

The report says that based on 51 of the Law of Ukraine on security and quality of food products, a relevant decision was taken based on an instruction from the Deputy Chief Inspector of Veterinary Medicine.

On Monday, 37 cases of livestock with FMD were localized in Bulgaria's village of Kosti in the Burgas District;
the government has introduced measures to contain the spread of the disease that does not affect people but can cause severe economic losses to the agricultural sector.

From Novinite

37 NEW CASES OF FMD FOUND IN BULGARIA, EC VOWS COMPENSATIONS

A total of 37 new cases of domestic animals with foot-and-mouth disease have been detected in Southeastern Bulgaria, according to the National Veterinary Service.

The FMD cases were localized in the Burgas District village of Kosti, Director of the NVS Yordan Voynov announced saying also that 530 domestic animals in the village will be eliminated in order to prevent the spread of the disease. The Bulgarian state will compensate their owners at market prices.

The first FMD case in Bulgaria in 12 years was detected last week after a wild boar shot by hunters was found to have the disease.

FMD is highly contagious and, while it is not so dangerous for humans, a possible outbreak may cause severe economic damages.

Earlier on Monday, Bulgaria's Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov talked over the phone with EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy John Dalli with respect to the measures that the Bulgarian authorities are taking to contain the disease.

Dalli is reported to have welcomed the measures;
yet, on Wednesday, experts of the European Commission will arrive to Bulgaria in order to check the situation on the spot and to provide any technical help that might be necessary.

The EU Commissioner has told Naydenov he will propose that Bulgaria should receive a maximum EU compensation for the FMD losses because the Bulgarian veterinary authorities are in charge of protecting the EU external borders.

[size=55:13ljt6sj]novinite

Bulgaria Slaughters Animals over Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Bulgaria will slaughter on Tuesday 300 sheep, goats, pigs and cows after finding 37 cases of foot-and-mouth disease in the southern village of Kosti in the Burgas region, the National Veterinary Service said.

A total of 530 animals will be killed in a bid to contain the spread of the disease, leaving local farmers, who eke out their meagre agricultural income only thanks to the animals, high and dry.

The Bulgarian state has vowed to compensate the owners at market prices, but they fear the money won't be enough to rebuild their farms anew.

The government has introduced measures to contain the spread of the disease that does not affect people but can cause severe economic losses to the agricultural sector.

Experts from the European Commission will arrive in Bulgaria on Wednesday to help local authorities cope with the situation.

The foot-and-mouth virus is one of the most contagious animal diseases and can have high mortality rates in young animals.

This isn't looking good for the Bulgarians and most of them rely on their cattle as an income for for the milk, I wonder if the EU or the government will be paying them for the animals that are put down, I remember this happening years ago in the uk and thousands were killed and the losses to the farmer was massive and some of them went out of business in fact I think 1 farmer committed suicide ?

[size=55:1bpfp8uo]novinite

FMD outbreak: Bulgarian authorities commence slaughter

The slaughter of cattle has started in Bulgaria as about 780 cloven-hoofed animals will be culled on January 11 in the Strandja village of Kosti following the outbreak of FMD, Bulgarian media reported. The national veterinary service said that, so far, 37 animals have tested positive for FMD.

But in order to thwart the further spread of the disease, all animals in the village must be destroyed, the report said.

Additionally, a quarantine will be imposed in the village of Kosti, which will continue until the end of February 2011, while the "
entire region will be disinfected,"
the report said.

As a member state of the European Union, Bulgaria is eligible to receive the maximum amount of compensation. On January 11, Bulgarian officials in Brussels will brief the European Commission with the progress of the operation and the implications of the outbreak.

According to veterinary authorities, all farmers will receive compensation. This will be due within two weeks.

Earlier on January 10 it was reported that Ukraine had banned animal imports from Bulgaria.

The disease is believed to have been carried into Bulgaria from a wild boar which crossed the border from Turkey.

[size=55:y2re2udi]novinite

More information here and they only get up to 60% the prime word being "
upto"


Farmers from the Bulgarian village of Kosti, whose animals were slaughtered over cases of foot-and-mouth disease will receive full compensations.

The statement was made Tuesday by Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov, after a meeting with farmers and milk producers.

Naydenov says Bulgaria will ask from the European Commission to compensate not only the owners of the animals, but also milk, meat and hide processors from the affected regions where trade and use of animals has been banned.

These are about 64 plants processing milk and 92 meat facilities.

Naydenov gave as an example the UK, where similar compensations have been received in 2001 after a foot-and-mouth decease epidemic. EU legislation provides for the EC to cover up to 60% of all expenses.

Farmers will be reimbursed for the cost of the animal and three months of profits from it, while all expenses for the elimination of the disease would be undertaken by the cabinet.

The Minister informed that out of 1 600 tests in the Burgas region, 12 goats, 14 sheep and a cow have been positive, meaning all 500 animals in Kosti must be killed

Kosti is under quarantine for 3 months while restrictions in other areas are subject to change at any time.

Naydenov explained the foot-and-mouth decease is not harmful for people and dismissed fears it can spread through milk and meat sold in grocery stores.

[size=55:2a775uwl]novinite

BULGARIAN FARMERS TO RECEIVE FULL COMPENSATIONS FOR FMD LOSSES

Farmers from the Bulgarian village of Kosti, whose animals were slaughtered over cases of foot-and-mouth disease will receive full compensations.

The statement was made Tuesday by Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov, after a meeting with farmers and milk producers.

Naydenov says Bulgaria will ask from the European Commission to compensate not only the owners of the animals, but also milk, meat and hide processors from the affected regions where trade and use of animals has been banned.

These are about 64 plants processing milk and 92 meat facilities.

Naydenov gave as an example the UK, where similar compensations have been received in 2001 after a foot-and-mouth decease epidemic. EU legislation provides for the EC to cover up to 60% of all expenses.

Farmers will be reimbursed for the cost of the animal and three months of profits from it, while all expenses for the elimination of the disease would be undertaken by the cabinet.

The Minister informed that out of 1 600 tests in the Burgas region, 12 goats, 14 sheep and a cow have been positive, meaning all 500 animals in Kosti must be killed

Kosti is under quarantine for 3 months while restrictions in other areas are subject to change at any time.

Naydenov explained the foot-and-mouth decease is not harmful for people and dismissed fears it can spread through milk and meat sold in grocery stores.

[size=55:1ahkxen1]novinite

FMD outbreak in Bulgaria successfully curbed by authorities

In the first days of the year, in the village of Kosti, situated in the Standja Mountain near the border with Turkey, a wild boar was shot possessing the symptoms of the heavily contagious foot and mouth disease (FMD). This necessitated an urgent check of cattle in the Burgas region for FMD symptoms. Out of 1,600 animals, 36 tested positive for the FMD virus, all from the village of Kosti. The European Commission was immediately notified, and all necessary measures for thwarting the spread of the dangerous disease in cloven-hoofed animals have been taken. All cattle in the village of Kosti was slaughtered, including sheep, goats, cows, and pigs. Bulgaria’s Agriculture and Foods Minister Miroslav Naydenov has expressed his contentment that the disease has been curbed in the incubation period. He told Radio Bulgaria more:

“Neither of the infected animals exhibits the clinical symptoms of the disease, which means that it was discovered in the incubation period. For the first time in 30 years, we have managed to curb the virus while it was discovered in a wild boar. The necessary examination of each slaughtered prey animal has allowed us to catch the virus a long time before the clinical symptoms have been manifested in home cattle, that is why we have implemented these extremely tough measures for cattle breeders.”

Due to the fact that the disease in home cattle was discovered in its incubation period, before the real symptoms had manifested, many residents of the village of Kosti had doubts whether their cattle was really infected and took the slaughtering actions as a severe blow. However, this was an inevitable and urgent measure thwarting the spread of the strongly contagious disease in the entire EU, which would inflict severe economic damages. The last cases of FMD in Europe were encountered in 2001 in Great Britain where 2,000 incidents were recorded. Because of the epidemic, all cattle on the island had to be slaughtered. Although in such cases the European Commission is obliged to pay compensations to farmers to the tune of 60 per cent of the incurred losses, farmers in Great Britain were paid damages to the tune of 100 per cent, which amounted to 10 billion pounds. Such exceptions are allowed only at the suggestion of the EU commissioner in charge of the sector. Agriculture Minister Naydenov has insisted on a 100-percent compensation of the affected Bulgarian farmers in his talks with EU Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli and has received his consent.

“I explained to Commissioner Dalli that currently Bulgaria has been protecting the EU’s external borders from the spread of the contagious disease from Turkey, where the number of registered cases has reached 1028. In order to adequately protect the EU’s external border and save cattle breeding in Europe, we need financial and technical assistance both”.

Minister Naydenov also pointed to the constant risk that farmers in the region of the village of Kosti constantly face because of their proximity to the Turkish border.

“Farmers there have many times been in such crisis situations. In 1999, all animals in the same village were slaughtered because of an infection of bluetongue viral disease. This is the risk for people who live in border regions. This was one of my arguments in my talks with Commissioner Dali and he agreed to my demands for a 100-percent compensation of the damages”.

Minister Naydenov has voiced his hope that by the end of the week, all cases of FMD will be eradicated. Today, laboratory tests of incidents of the diseases across Bulgaria will start. If no new cases of the infection are discovered, Bulgaria will start gradually to lift the imposed prevention measures. Currently, hunting and the transportation of animals and animal food products have been banned in seven regions of the country. This causes great losses to some milk and meat producers in these regions.