We are in an unprecedented situation with pox and bluetongue in goats and sheep. Assoc. Prof. Chavdar Filipov from the Forestry University told BNT.
There are many infected herds in different regions. The pox occurs with a fever, and also affects the internal organs of the animals. The mortality rate varies, he explained.
Filipov specified that pox is transmitted by an infected animal, quarantine is mandatory to prevent the disease from spreading, reassuring that people do not get sick.
Bluetongue is transmitted through insects. Consuming meat from animals with these diseases is not dangerous for humans. There are vaccines for both diseases. A vaccine for bluetongue is also used in our country. However, the EU does not carry out vaccination for smallpox because vaccinated animals become an incubator for the disease. We have a very high prevalence, Chavdar Filipov is worried.