Bulgaria faces major livestock crisis with 10,000 sheep euthanized owing to disease outbreaks

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Bulgaria is facing a major livestock crisis, with 10,000 sheep euthanized to date due to disease outbreaks, the country’s National Sheep and Goat Breeding Association reported on Monday.

Speaking to public broadcaster BNT, the association’s co-chairman Simeon Karakolev said the crisis caused by sheep pox remains far from under control.

More troubling, he added, is that: “Bluetongue, a virus that hasn't been seen in Bulgaria in a decade, is now reportedly approaching the country's border.”

Outbreaks of bluetongue have already been reported in neighboring North Macedonia, near the Bulgarian border, and in parts of Greece, Karakolev said.

He emphasized that the absence of precautionary controls is opening the door to illegal or unregulated movement of livestock, which significantly increases the risk of spreading infection.

“A fire is raging in the sheep breeding sector, and it will not be extinguished so quickly,” Karakolev said.

Sheep pox and goat pox are highly contagious viral diseases affecting sheep and goats, caused by viruses within the Capripoxvirus genus.

These diseases are characterized by fever and skin lesions and can lead to severe illness or death, particularly in young animals. The viruses are transmitted through direct contact, respiratory aerosols, or contaminated materials.

Bluetongue disease is a viral illness primarily affecting sheep, cattle, and other ruminants, spread by biting midges. It is not directly contagious between animals but is transmitted through the bite of infected insects. Symptoms in sheep can include fever, listlessness, swelling of the head and mouth, excessive salivation, and nasal discharge.