Ref. Ares(2013)3098859 - 23/09/2013 EUROPEAN COMMISSION HEALTH & CONSUMERS DIRECTORATE-GENERAL Directorate G - Veterinary and International Affairs Director Brussels SANCO/G2/NK/lp (2013) 3317523 SHEEP POX IN BULGARIA - FAX - 002/2013 (23/09/2013) CVOs of all Member States + Norway, Telephone: To: Iceland, Turkey, Switzerland + all Permanent Representations ^Fax:ax: Preset Telephone: +32-2-+32-2-29 53143 From: Bernard Van Goethem Director Fax: +32-2-29 53144 Number of pages: 1 +1+3 Subject: Sheep pox confirmed in the village of Stoilovo, Malko Tamovo municipality, Burgas region, Bulgaria Message: On 23 September 2013 the Bulgarian veterinary services informed the Commission about the confirmation of sheep pox in a flock of 8 sheep and 2 goats in the village of Stoilovo, Malko Tamovo municipality, in Burgas region, 12 km north of the Turkish border. The suspicion has been notified to the official veterinarian of Malko Tamovo municipality on 19 September. The disease has been confirmed by PCR on 20 September, and all the ovine and caprine herds of the village of Stoilovo have been stamped out on 21 September (8 herds with 38 sheep and 74 goats in total, including the infected herd). Bulgaria has taken measures in the framework of Council Directive 92/119/EEC of 17 December 1992 introducing general Community measures for the control of certain animal diseases and specific measures relating to swine vesicular disease (OJ L 62, 15.3.1993, p. 69) and in particular Articles 5, 8 to 12 and 14 thereof. There are no other herds within the 3 km protection zone. All the 49 herds existing in the 10 km surveillance zone have been checked on 20 and 21 September, and no sign of the disease has been detected so far. Regular clinical examinations in the surveillance zone and in the area near the Turkish and Greek borders will be continued. The source of infection is unknown so far. In 2013, several cases of sheep pox in Turkish Thrace have been reported to ADNS, and 7 cases of sheep pox have been notified so far by Greece sincc л ' ",ni 0 - Cc: H. Vassallo (Cabinet Commissioner Borg), F. Vincent (DG COMM), P. Testőri Coggi, B. Gautrais, M. Valletta, T. Gumbel, L. Terzi, M. Scannell, M. Ponghellini, C. Bertrand, A. Wilson, (SANCO), DG Agri, DG Trade, DG Elarg, ОШ, FAO, EFSA, Council Secretariat, Del Turkey, Del Russia, Del Switzerland. European Commission, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium - switchboard (32-2) 299 11 11 Office: Fl 01- 3/67 - Telephone: direct line (+32-2) 295 08 70. Fax+32 2 29 92842 http://ec.europa.eu/dqs/health consumer/index en.htm ANNEX Geographical situation of Stoilovo, Burgas region. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD BULGARIAN FOOD SAFETY AGENCY (f O I) BFSA| B3 Sofia, 1606, # 15A, 'Tenčím Slaveikov" blvti. SAFETY EVERY DAY β +359 {()) 2 9IS 98 20, ö +359 (Ό) 2 954 95 93, www.babh.goveriimcnt.bg ¿M. лл¥3 To Bernard VAN GOETHEM Director, Directorate G, European Commission Subject: Sheep pox confirmed in the village of Stoilovo, Malko Tamovo municipality. Burgas region, Bulgaria Dear Mr VAN GOETHEM, The afternoon of 19 Sep 2013 the official veterinarian of Malko Tamovo municipality, Burgas region notified a suspicion for Sheep pox in Stoilovo village. Clinical signs suggesting for the disease have been detected in the framework of the regular clinical examinations under the FMD control program and the strict surveillance due to the current Sheep pox epidemiological situation in Greece and Turkish Thrace. Stoilovo village is located in a remote mountainous area (Strand/ha Mountain) in Southeast Bulgaria., 12 km north of the Turkish border. Sheep and goats are grazed only for own consumption and not included for industrialized production and trade. An expert group from the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) immediately went on the spot and confirmed the suspicion late in the evening the same day. In a backyard 3 out of 8 sheep showed early lesions (erythemae and papulae but not crusts) of the disease. Blood samples from the three animals were taken and send for confirmation to the NRL in Sofia. All susceptible animals in the village were stabled and all animal movements in the area were banned. The diagnosis Sheep pox was confirmed by PCR late in the evening on 20 Sep. Meanwhile the BFSA had taken all necessary measures to control the outbreak in the framework of the EU legislation, including standstill and organisation for stamping out. On 2] Sept all 38 sheep and 74 goats from the affected village were culled and buried. Clinical signs were detected only in two herds grazed on common pastures (table 1). Thorough disinfection was performed of all backyards, stables, streets in the village and main roads around and vehicles. Tabic 1: Herds and number of sheep and goats in Stoilovo village, Malko Tarnovo municipality, including sheep with clinical signs of Sheep & Goat pox ID of the herd Sheep,n Goats, n Sheep with clinical signs on 21 Sep, n 5 (3 of them were sampled on 19 Sep 1 8359-0033 8 •y and tested positive by PCR 2 8359-0070 9 8 2 3 8359-0089 19 23 - 4 8359-0019 2 1 - Common herd 5 - 40 - of 8 owners Grand total 38 74 mj Protection and surveillance zones around the outbreak were established (table 2). There are no other settlements or herds within the 3 km protection zone. In the 10 km surveillance zone are located 4 settlements with 49 herds of sheep and goats ail in Malko Tarnovo municipality of Burgas region. During 20 -21 Sep all herds and susceptible animals in the zones were checked, counted and all sheep clinically examined. No signs of the disease were recognised. Table 2: Number of herds and number of sheep and goats grazed in the 10 km surveillance zone around the outbreak, in Malko Tarnovo municipality of Burgas region. Settlement in the 10 Herds, n Sheep, n Goats, n total km surveillance zone Brashlian - - . - Kaiovo ļ 41 55 96 Zabernovo 5 22 128 150 Malko Tamovo 43 603 198 801 Grand total 49 666 381 1047 Regular clinical examinations in all settlements located in the surveillance zone as well as in ail settlements nearby the Turkish and Greek borders will be continued. The epidemiological considerations so far show very early detection of the disease in Bulgaria based on the early lesions and the very low prevalence of animals with clinical signs in the herds grazing on common pastures in Stoilovo, So far the source of the infection is unknown. One of the hypotheses is that the virus was introduced by immigrants from Syria crossing illegaily Turkey, which is a current problem for Bulgaria. Animal movement from Turkey to Bulgaria is unlikely. The positive samples will be sending for further testing to the EU reference laboratory for Sheep pox & Goat pox. We will keep you informed about the aforementioned epidemiological situation. Sincerely yours. ' .