Turkey Moves to Protect Itself from Bulgaria's FMD Outbreak

Turkey is moving to immunize the livestock along its Bulgarian border over FMD. Photo by BGNES

Turkish regions along the Bulgarian border are taking measures to prevent the spread of food-and-mouth disease from Bulgaria even though the Bulgarian authorities claim the infection came from Turkey.

The Turkish authorities have suspended all movement or evacuation of animals in the region of Kirklareli, known in Bulgaria as Lozengrad, the Bulgarian national radio reported citing Hasan Cebi, head of the agricultural directorate in the province.

The measure will be in place until May 9, 2011. What is more, the authorities in European Turkey are moving to start immunization of local domestic animals against FMD. According to EU sources, the European Commission has provided Turkey with 850 000 immunization doses even though the Turkish state has not provided official information.

"We've introduced these measures because of the FMD outbreak in Bulgaria. We have urged the local population to be careful in order not to allow the spread of the disease," the Kirklareli official is quoted as saying.

In January-February and then again since mid March Bulgaria has been struggling to contain the spread of FMD, a disease that does not affect humans is devastating to livestock; because of it, on Wednesday the Bulgarian government decided to restore the Cold War fences along the Turkish border since it is believed that wild animals brought the infection from Turkey. The Bulgarian authorities have slaughtered thousands of animals to contain the FMD in the recent months.

FMD is not dangerous for humans but is devastating for livestock.

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