Farmers back end to smallpox shots in Bulgaria

Bulgarian agriculture officials have decided against mandatory vaccination of small ruminants for smallpox following a decline in disease outbreaks, with no new cases recorded across the country for more than 20 days. Farmer representative Aleksiev welcomed the decision and explained that vaccination triggers automatic trade restrictions preventing animal movement and dairy exports, which would devastate processors who send nearly 80 percent of production to foreign markets. He emphasized that proper biosecurity measures and controlled animal transport have proven effective in containing the virus without resorting to vaccination protocols that would cripple the sector economically.

Authorities have culled approximately 22,000 animals representing about 2 percent of national livestock, with compensation ranging from 450 to 550 leva per head depending on breed category. The outbreak, concentrated primarily in the Plovdiv region, stemmed from illegally transported infected animals rather than regional management failures, according to industry analysis. Aleksiev warned farmers against using unlicensed vaccines, noting that laboratory tests cannot distinguish vaccinated animals from infected ones, potentially leading to herd destruction.