Ukraine enhances veterinarian control at border with Romania over peste des petits ruminants

MOSCOW. Aug 7 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection has enhanced veterinarian control at the border with Romania, where cases of goats and sheep infection with peste des petits ruminants (PPR) have been recorded, Ukrainian media said, citing the service.

Based on the information from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the Ukrainian chief veterinarian inspector prohibited importing goats and sheep susceptible to PPR, their reproductive material, processed and unprocessed goods, raw milk and dairy products for human consumption from Romania. An exception is made for processed dairy products, which meet the rules of importation (sending) of food products of animal origin to the customs territory of Ukraine.

The Odessa, Chernovtsy, Ivano-Frankovsk and Transcarpathian regions are counting goats and sheep and assessing their clinical health. Fast response groups have been set up, transportation control has begun, and information has been provided to residents, the service said.

Seeking to contain the virus, disinfection of vehicles at checkpoints on the border with Romania has been made a priority. For instance, disinfection materials and sprays are used on vehicles passing through motor checkpoints, among them Porubno-Siret.

Information boards have also been installed at checkpoints to warn that unprocessed products of animal origin (milk, cheeses, etc.) can be carriers of dangerous pathogens causing animal diseases.

Food carried by individuals across the border for personal consumption may also be a factor of disease transmission, the service said.

"We are asking all drivers, road carriers, citizens and travelers to be careful and responsible and to comply with the rules and restrictions," it said.