Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Miroslav Naydenov has formed a national headquarters for combating the FMD outbreak. The disease was detected in a wild boar shot by a team of hunters close to the Kosti village, district of Burgas. The infected wild boar probably came from Turkey, where several centers of infection have already been registered. The wild boar was shot on December 30, 2010, while the results of the analysis were ready on January 4, 2011.
Minister Naydenov outlined the measures that are being adopted to stop the spreading of one of the most serious diseases among animals. The European Commission has already been informed about the accident. There is a restriction on animal movement in the districts of Burgas, Haskovo, and Yambol. All living animal trade in the Burgas region has been stopped. A 10 km security zone has been established and all vehicles passing through the region are being disinfected
FMD is highly contagious and, while it is not so dangerous for humans, a possible outbreak may cause severe economical damages, Minister Miroslav Naydenov has explained. 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, he added further.
Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Finance Minister Simeon Dyankov have also been informed for the case in order to provide financial resources for the implementation of measures to stop the spreading of the disease. Director General of Veterinary Service Dr. Yordan Voinov explained that regularly samples are taken from all shot wild boars to be examined for FMD and classical swine fever. With the boar in question clinical disease was established. The taken samples tested positive for FMD will be sent for verification in the UK