Bulgaria bans poultry exports to EU

Bulgaria has banned exports of live poultry and eggs to the European Union in an effort to prevent the spread of Newcastle disease, which was discovered there earlier this month.

More than 1,000 birds have been culled to help limit the spread of the disease.

Bulgaria's head of veterinary medical service said the temporary ban will be in force until the European Commission determines whether exports of poultry products from the village of Slunchogled, the region of Kurdzhali, are infected with what is thought to be a combination of Newcastle disease and bird flu. The EU's decision is expected on 15 August.

Newcastle disease is a highly contagious virus affecting birds that has appeared in several EU countries in recent years. Exposure to infected birds may cause influenza-like symptoms but otherwise poses no hazard to humans.

Editor WorldPoultry