2011 Bulgaria foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) occurring in Southeastern Bulgaria in 2011.
FMD was first confirmed on 5 January 2011, in a wild boar that had been shot on 30 December 2010.[1] This animal is believed to have crossed the Bulgarian-Turkish border near the village of Kosti, Burgas Province in the Strandzha Mountains.[2] A necropsy revealed foot-and mouth disease.[2] Following this, 37 infected animals were discovered in the village of Kosti, and all susceptible livestock there were culled. Burgas Province and seven other neighbouring provinces declared a quarantine.[3]
On 14 January a new outbreak was suspected in the neighbouring village of Rezovo.[2] It is believed to have been carried by a Turkish cattle herd. On 17 January the presence of the disease was confirmed.[2] The Bulgarian authorities ordered culling of all susceptible livestock in Rezovo.[4] The losses in the two villages are promised to be compensated.[2]
The mayor of Tsarevo Municipality Petko Arnaudov proposed construction of a wire fence along the Turkish border to prevent further movement of diseased animals into Bulgaria. The proposal was accepted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.[5] The authorities ordered disinfection of all vehicles crossing from Turkey, where a major outbreak was occurring.[6]
On 31 January in the village of Gramatikovo, Malko Tarnovo Municipality, which is located in the 10 km prevention zone around the first two outbreaks, a new outbreak was discovered. The blood tests found 13 animals infected with the disease. The authorities ordered culling of all susceptible livestock in the village, which consists of 149 animals - 1 cow, 38 sheep and 110 goats. The losses are promised to be compensated.[7]
On 25 March two new outbreaks were discovered in the villages of Granichar and Kirovo. The authorities ordered culling of 173 infected animals.[8]
The last new case was detected in April 2011; Bulgaria was declared FMD-free in July 2011.[9] Prior to this outbreak, Bulgaria had not had a case of FMD since 1996.