The Food and Veterinary Agency has received notification regarding suspicions of the presence of the disease Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in a farm located in the village of Landovicë, Municipality of Prizren.
 |
According to the press release, upon receiving the report of suspicion, veterinary teams imposed movement restrictions on animals at the affected farm and collected samples for testing.
The Food and Veterinary Laboratory today confirmed the presence of the virus, while samples taken from surrounding farms have tested negative.
“In accordance with its legal mandate and based on laboratory test results, the FVA has declared the village of Landovicë an infected zone, within a 3 km perimeter from the affected farm. This zone is under quarantine, with a ban on the movement of any animals, as well as the transport or circulation of animal products and by-products. Surrounding farms have been placed under suspicion for epidemiological investigation, source tracing of the infection, and possible contact with the infected farm. Biosecurity measures have been implemented on farms, including disinfection of farms and surrounding areas in accordance with veterinary protocols,” the FVA stated.
The agency has issued a decision on general measures to prevent the spread of the disease throughout the territory of Kosovo, including the prohibition of movement and trade of sheep and goats, as well as the obligation to report suspected cases immediately.
PPR is a highly contagious viral disease affecting sheep and goats, with symptoms such as high fever, coughing, diarrhea, and pneumonia, causing significant damage to livestock farming.
The disease does not transmit to humans and does not pose a risk to public health.
The decision enforced throughout the territory of the Republic of Kosovo:
General Measures:
a) Prohibition of movement of sheep and goats from farms, trading in markets, and sale/purchase activities;
b) Farmers are obligated to immediately notify a veterinarian of any change in the health condition of sheep and goats on their farms;
c) Veterinary practices are required to report every suspected case of PPR to the official authority (FVA);
d) Immediate inspection of suspected farms, sampling, and submission to the Food and Veterinary Laboratory;
e) Burial of animals on farms found to be infected with PPR;
f) Municipalities are obligated to designate locations for the disposal of infected animals;
g) Disinfection of facilities and surrounding areas of farms and outbreak zones;
Exceptionally, from point I of this decision, movement of sheep and goats from disease-free farms to licensed slaughterhouses is permitted, with prior approval from the veterinary inspector of the Food and Veterinary Agency.
III. All market managers are ordered to suspend the acceptance of sheep and goats into their premises from the moment this decision enters into force.
All Municipalities and the Kosovo Police are obliged, in coordination and cooperation with the FVA, to supervise the implementation of the measures.
The measures come into effect today, July 3, 2025.