The Bulgarian Food Safety Authority (BNSA) has confirmed the second outbreak of African swine fever virus.

The Food Safety Agency received a signal about an increase in the incidence at a livestock farm in the village of Dzhernov, Pleven, July 2, 2019. After notification of the incident, an inspection team was immediately created on the spot in Pleven.

Samples from dead pigs were confirmed positive for the African swine fever virus by the National Reference Laboratory of the National Diagnostic Research Veterinary Medical Institute in Sofia. The carcasses of animals are buried near the farm, and disinfection is carried out on the site.

The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency immediately took measures to control and eradicate this disease in accordance with European and national legislation, as well as with the Emergency Action Plan to combat ASF.

The forced humane killing and utilization of all domestic pigs began today, July 4, in compliance with the requirements of the relevant Regulation, in order to minimize the suffering of animals.

Restriction zones were established (a three-kilometer safety zone and a ten-kilometer surveillance zone), where measures were taken to control and eliminate ASF.

A three-kilometer protective zone provides preventive euthanasia for all domestic pigs. Clinical examinations and laboratory surveillance will be carried out in settlements covered by a ten-kilometer observation zone.