Peste des petits ruminants has been detected in Greece and Romania, and the Directorate General of Food and Veterinary Medicine (DGAV) has called for increased preventive measures, despite the disease never being encountered in Portugal.
According to a statement released by the Portuguese Farmers’ Confederation (CAP), outbreaks of the disease were reported in goats and sheep in Greece on July 11.
They eventually spread to five regions, with a total of 42 outbreaks (as of August 7).
In Romania, the first outbreak was registered on July 19, and then it reached four regions.
As of August 7, some 56 outbreaks in goats and sheep had been reported in Romania.
Two Member States have already adopted control measures such as euthanisation (the process that causes the death of the animal), disposal of carcasses, and cleaning and disinfection of affected farms.
Zones of restriction, protection and observation were established around the outbreak.
On the other hand, the export and movement of small ruminants and their products from all over the country to other Member States and third countries were prohibited, “unless the country of destination gives its written consent”.
According to DGAV, peste des petits ruminants has never been encountered in Portugal.
However, the general directorate called for tougher measures.
The disease is mainly transmitted by aerosols or direct contact between animals.
The sources of viruses are tears, nasal discharge, sputum, secretions and excrements of sick animals.
“PNR [peste dos pequenos ruminantes] It was originally described in Côte d’Ivoire, but is found in most African countries, south of the Sahara and north of the equator, as well as in almost all countries of the Middle East up to Turkey,” he added.
The disease is also widespread in India and Southwest Asia.
Outbreaks of the disease have also been identified in Tibet, Morocco and East Africa.
Peste des petits ruminants is a contagious disease that primarily affects sheep and goats. It is not transmissible to humans.
The mortality rate associated with this disease ranges from 50% to 100%.
This disease has associated symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, necrotizing stomatitis and bad breath.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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