FVA: Sheep Pox Situation Is Being Monitored and Measures Are Taken in Time

The Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA) announced today that its teams are continuously on the ground, monitoring the sheep pox situation and implementing the necessary control and protection measures in a timely manner. Regarding the possibility of vaccination, the Agency said that a request for vaccine donations had been forwarded to the European Commission and the Republic of Turkey.

According to the FVA, the expert group meets regularly to determine the appropriate measures, while the European Commission has again been asked for support from the EUVET team in managing the disease. Once a response regarding vaccination is received, the vaccine’s safety and purity will first be checked, after which vaccination will begin.

The Agency warned that any farmer who carries out vaccination at their own expense without the FVA’s approval will be sanctioned accordingly. In such cases, no compensation will be provided for either sick or confiscated animals.

The FVA provided these clarifications in its response to the media following a press conference by the Sheep Breeders’ Association, which raised the alarm outside the Government building this morning over the situation caused by sheep pox.

The FVA also explained that it receives reports of disease outbreaks on specific farms through veterinary associations with which it has agreements to carry out public activities.

After receiving such information, blood samples and swabs are taken to verify the presence of the sheep and goat pox virus. When the disease is confirmed, the FVA director issues a decision on the implementation of control and protection measures, under which the animals are euthanized and then buried.

Breeders again called today for sheep to be vaccinated urgently against sheep pox and for compensation to be increased.