Goat and sheep pox enters Serbia through smuggling – Veterinary teams implementing measures in the field

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Dragan Glamocic has stated that sheep and goat pox has been confirmed in the Raska region and that the disease arrived in Serbia smuggled from Kosovo.

– Goat and sheep pox has been confirmed on a farm in the village of Nosoljin, Raska municipality. We urgently euthanized 67 sheep and 60 lambs and buried them in a pit on the owner’s farm. So far, there are no new suspicions, because everything was done as quickly as possible and according to the regulations – Glamocic stated, as reported by the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture in a statement.

The ministry announced that there had been 67 sheep and 60 lambs on the farm in the Raska municipality, but that the veterinary service had reacted quickly and efficiently.

It recognized the changes in the animals in time, immediately took samples and delivered them to the Veterinary Specialist Institute “Kraljevo”.

The laboratory confirmation was obtained in less than 24 hours, after which all prescribed measures were implemented without delay in order to prevent the further spread of the disease, including the humane euthanasia of all 127 animals on the infected farm.

The animal carcasses, according to the statement, were harmlessly disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations.

This is the first confirmed outbreak of sheep and goat pox in Serbia in 2026. Last year, three outbreaks were recorded, also in the Raska District, which were successfully suppressed thanks to the rapid and coordinated response of the veterinary service.

The experience gained during the previous year enabled the competent services to react quickly and efficiently this time as well.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Dragan Glamocic said that the state had the capacity and organized institutions and services that were ready to react quickly when the risk of infectious animal diseases arose.

He appealed to all producers and breeders to be responsible, follow the prescribed measures, cooperate with the veterinary service and immediately report any changes in animals or suspicion of disease, because timely reaction was crucial for the protection of their farms and the preservation of livestock.

Sheep and goat pox is a highly contagious viral disease that occurs when the virus enters a susceptible herd, most often by introducing an infected animal into the herd or by contact with animals from an infected area.

The disease is transmitted by direct contact, nasal and ocular secretions, skin lesions and scabs, but also indirectly – through contaminated clothing, footwear, equipment, vehicles and bedding.

Airborne spread over shorter distances is also possible, as well as mechanical transmission by insects.

The first clinical signs usually appear eight to 13 days after infection.

Symptoms include elevated body temperature, lethargy, loss of appetite, reduced milk production, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, as well as characteristic nodules and scabs on the skin.

Changes are most often observed around the eyes, mouth and nose, on the udder, tail and inner side of the legs. In lambs and kids, the disease can have a significantly more severe course, which is why early reporting is crucial.

The ministry urges animal owners to immediately report any suspicion of the disease to a veterinarian or veterinary inspection, to immediately isolate animals with elevated temperature, discharge or skin changes, and not to buy, sell or move animals without the approval of a veterinarian.

Sheep and goat pox are not transmitted to humans and do not pose a risk to the health of the population.

Consumers have no reason to worry - meat and milk originating from registered and controlled facilities in legal circulation are safe for consumption.

Enhanced veterinary supervision, control of animal movements and all other prescribed measures are being implemented in the field.

Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, šumarstva i vodoprivrede Republike Srbije

Dragan Glamočić

sheep

goats

infection