Epidemic (animal)

A case of anthrax in cattle has been confirmed in Ezerche, in Bulgaria's northeastern Razgrad Region. Regional Governor Aylin Basheva has ordered preventive measures, the administration of the region reported on Monday after a meeting of the local epizootic commission.
The case was identified after cattle suddenly died at a livestock facility in Ezerche. The animal had been kept in an area enclosed by an electric fence, about 100 metres from the farm. Samples sent for testing at a laboratory in Sofia confirmed the presence of anthrax, said Yulian Yordanov, head of the Animal Health Department at the Razgrad Directorate of Food Safety.
The site where the animal was found was treated promptly, and the carcass was sent to a rendering plant. Dr Yordanov said the carcass was not opened or butchered, which is important for limiting the risk of the disease spreading.
Four people who had contact with the carcass have been identified: two veterinarians and two farm workers. They followed safety requirements and used personal protective equipment. Preventive measures have been taken for all four and they have been placed under medical observation, said Reni Kiryakova, director of the Communicable Disease Surveillance Directorate at the Razgrad Regional Health Inspectorate.
This is the first anthrax case in Tsar Kaloyan Municipality in 50-60 years, Yordanov said. He noted that the disease is not contagious and is not transmitted from person to person. It primarily affects animals.
Meanwhie, the case in Ezerche was officially confirmed by the executive director of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency.
The Regional Epizootic Commission decided that the site where the animal died will be designated as an anthrax zone, fenced off and marked with a warning sign. Official veterinarians will monitor the health of susceptible animals at the livestock facility. The movement of susceptible animals and feed to and from the livestock facility and the village will be restricted. An inventory will also be carried out of all livestock facilities and the susceptible animals kept there within the territory of Ezerche. All susceptible animals in the village that are eligible for vaccination will be vaccinated against anthrax.
Regional Governor Aylin Basheva will monitor the implementation of the measures taken. The regional administration has called on residents of Ezerche to cooperate with and support the competent authorities.
At the end of August, an outbreak of anthrax was confirmed in Stefanovo, Lovech Region, North Central Bulgaria.
/VE/