The police in the Plovdiv region have carried out 1,380 checks on vehicles since the beginning of the month as part of the operation against the illegal transportation of animals sick with smallpox. This was announced by Chief Inspector Kostadin Spasov from the "Security Police" department at the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs - Plovdiv.
"No violators of the ban on the transport of animals in the region have been identified. 1,380 checks have been carried out on vehicles and 14 on markets," Spasov told the media.
The police teams carry out round-the-clock control at certain points, checking passing trucks, light trucks and minibuses. Particular attention is being paid to the exits of the villages of Rogosh and Skutare, which are part of the "Maritsa" municipality - one of the most affected by small ruminant pox.
The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency has introduced a complete ban on the movement of small ruminants throughout the country, with the exception of taking them to slaughterhouses. The measure was imposed due to the spread of pox and the complicated epizootic situation.
"Regarding the illegal night trade in animals - we have information about this and have organized special operations throughout the region. We have carried out 16 inspections, but no violators have been identified," added Chief Inspector Spasov.
The police are also monitoring the possible organization of markets and fairs for the sale of animals, which is also prohibited. If a violation is detected, the Ministry of Interior officials refer the case to teams from the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, which determine and impose sanctions.
So far, 94 outbreaks of small ruminant pox have been identified in the Plovdiv region, with nearly 8,900 affected sheep and goats. Four-fifths of them have already been humanely killed. Outbreaks of the disease are located in the municipalities of "Maritsa", Saedinenie, Sadovo, Parvomay and Karlovo.
The police have requested assistance from 45 sites to conduct medical activities in them, because cases of smallpox have been detected. Law enforcement agencies continue to secure burial areas at the request of the mayors of municipalities and settlements.