A particularly dangerous animal disease is spreading in Greece and Romania – peste des petits ruminants, which mainly infects sheep and goats. There is no specific treatment for this disease, so if the disease appears in new outbreaks, all sick and suspected animals should be destroyed, writes Maaleht. According to Anne-Li Veetamm, leading specialist in the department of animal health and welfare of the Department of Agriculture and Food, peste des petits ruminants animals is spreading rapidly in southern Europe. “The first case of peste des petits ruminants was detected in Greece in the first half of July, in Romania in mid-July. In Greece, the plague was detected on 23 farms, in Romania – on 32 farms,” Veetamm said. “This is a very dangerous animal disease that leads to high mortality, which means large economic losses for sheep and goat farmers. Restrictions have been introduced on the sale and export of products from farms located in the affected areas. There is no specific treatment for this disease, so in order to effectively control the disease, animals in infected areas are shot and destroyed. In addition, restricted areas have been established and the movement of animals outside of them is prohibited,” Veetamm added. As a precautionary measure, the European Commission has banned the movement of sheep and goats from contaminated areas of Greece and Romania to other EU countries. As an emergency security measure, Greece has banned the export of sheep and goats from all over Greece to other EU member states. The export of small ruminants from Romania is carried out only with the prior consent of the recipient country. “If you travel to Greece or Romania, try not to come into contact with animals there, do not visit sheep and goat farms. When you return to Estonia, wash and clean your clothes and shoes. Don't wear the same shoes when visiting sheep or goats in Estonia. Sheep and goat farmers are advised to avoid contact with people who have arrived from abroad in the last 48 hours,” recommended Veetamm. Peste des petits ruminants is spread through direct and indirect contact with a sick animal. The disease can also spread through pathogen-contaminated vehicles that have not been properly washed and disinfected. In the external environment at low temperatures, the PPR pathogen retains infectious activity, but dies during disinfection. Sheep, goats and wild ungulates are susceptible to peste des petits ruminants. Humans are not infected with the peste des petits ruminants virus. Read RusDelfi wherever it is convenient for you. Follow us on Facebook, Telegram, Instagram and even TikTok.
