Albania: 4 outbreaks of Peste des Petits Ruminants (sheep and goat plague) confirmed
The Albania Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reports the confirmation of four Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), aka sheep and goat plague, outbreaks in different areas of the country.
The first confirmation of PPR in the Republic of Albania was made on June 4, 2025, located in the village of Domen, Postribë administrative unit, Shkodër Municipality.
Subsequently, the second case was confirmed on June 5 in the village of Vrenjt, Kastriot administrative unit, Dibër Municipality; the third case on June 9 in the village of Val, Martanesh administrative unit, Bulqizë Municipality; and the fourth case on June 11 in the village of Polena, administrative unit of Qendër, Municipality of Skrapar.
The total number of outbreaks (herds) reported to date is 4. The number of affected small animals is 716; dead, 25 heads; eliminated, 153 heads; while the remaining heads are in the process of elimination.
With the confirmation of the first case of Peste de l'Orminants (PPR) disease, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has immediately taken the necessary measures to prevent and control the spread of the disease in the territory of the Republic of Albania. In accordance with Order no. 802, dated 9.10.2024, “On the approval of the National Contingency Plan for Peste de l'Orientale”, the National Crisis Center was immediately convened, with representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the Ministry of Defense, to coordinate actions and receive information on the measures taken by the Regional Crisis Center, which has identified the Administrative Units and villages within the protection (3 km) and surveillance (10 km) zones.
The Minister's Orders clearly stipulate that for each confirmed case of this disease, measures to restrict the movement of live animals are to be taken.
Given the worrying situation and the spread of the disease in several foci, Ministerial Order no. 575, “On the temporary ban on the movement of live sheep and goats in the territory of the Republic of Albania”. This Order extends its effects to the entire territory of the country, prohibiting the movement of live sheep and goats from farm to farm, migration and grazing on shared pastures. The trade of sheep and goats in live animal markets, open areas, fairs and other gatherings is temporarily prohibited. Only the movement of small animals to the slaughterhouse is allowed, accompanied by a veterinary health certificate, issued by the official veterinarian of the service. This measure is temporary in nature and has been taken in order to protect animal health, food safety and the interests of livestock farmers in the country.
We invite all entities and farmers to strictly implement this order, in close cooperation with local veterinary authorities.
Animal outbreaks on farms: How do they dispose of the carcasses?
The National Veterinary and Plant Protection Authority has set up 39 control groups, monitoring to date 983 small farms, with a total of 164,803 sheep and goats nationwide. The main purpose of the field control groups is to monitor small livestock farms, identify the epidemiological situation in the field and determine the current stage of the disease, as a basis for further, targeted and effective interventions. During the monitoring, the control groups have raised farmers' awareness of the economic risk posed by this disease. Official veterinarians have also closely cooperated with the State Police, to enable the control of animal movement within the country and to take measures for flagrant cases. During this time, the veterinary service has raised farmers' awareness by informing them about the Peste de petits ruminants (PPR) disease. Part of the awareness-raising has also been the preparation of posters on the Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) disease and informing the public through the official website of the AKVMB and on social networks.
Also, the presence of the Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) disease has been notified case by case in the European Union Animal Disease Alert System (ADIS), and the Animal Disease Emergencies Office of the European Commission has also been contacted, which has expressed its readiness to respond to the request of the MAFRD to send a technical mission to Albania.
Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a serious, highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants, which has high mortality rates of up to 100% of the herd, causing economic losses, but does not affect health and is not transmitted to humans.