On 26 July 2024, a meeting of the State Emergency Anti-Epizootic Commission was held at the Izmail District State (Military) Administration of Odesa Oblast. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss measures to prevent the spread of plague in the Izmail district.

According to Natalia Muntean, acting head of the Izmail District Department of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Odesa Oblast, as well as official information from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAN) and the European Union (through the Animal Disease Information System - ADIS), cases of small ruminant fever have been reported in Romania in Tulcea County. The outbreak occurred on a farm with 51119 sheep, located just 50 km from the border with Ukraine.

Given the close proximity of the Izmail district's border with Romania, there is a high probability of the introduction of the small ruminant plague pathogen into the territory of Odesa region. To minimise the risks of the introduction and spread of this dangerous disease, the State Emergency Anti-Epizootic Commission has taken a number of decisions.

The main activities include:

• Defining a 10-kilometre threat zone for small ruminant disease along the border with Romania.
• The threatened area includes the following settlements: Dolynske, Orlivka, Reni, Novosilske, Larzhanka, Matroska, Broska, Izmail, Safiany, Stara Nekrasivka, Bahate, Kyslytsia, Kiliya, Lisky, and Vilkove.

What to do if you suspect a disease:

If there are signs of disease or unusual behaviour, as well as in case of mass deaths, the state veterinary service should be notified immediately. This will help to respond quickly to possible threats and prevent the spread of the disease.

Together we can protect our animals and ensure a stable epizootic situation in the region.

ACTING TOGETHER FOR VICTORY!