Rinderpest outbreak in Debar/ Kosovo bans import of sheep and goats from Albania

2026-04-15 11:33:00, Aktualitet CNA

The Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency has announced a ban on the import of sheep and goats from Albania. According to the FVA announcement, the reason for the ban is the outbreak of small cattle plague in the Dibra region.

In response, Kosovo municipalities along the border with Albania are called upon to impose strict restrictive measures on the movement of small livestock.

Plague is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects sheep and goats. This disease is not transmitted to humans and does not pose a risk to public health.

Full announcement:

The import of sheep and goats from Albania is prohibited due to the outbreak of small ruminant disease PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants) in the Dibra Region.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, in coordination with the Food and Veterinary Agency, imposes a temporary ban on the import of small ruminants, sheep and goats, from the entire territory of Albania. Following the confirmation of cases of PPR disease (Peste des Petits Ruminants) in the Dibra District.

We call for attention to the Kosovo municipalities in the border belt with Albania, through their Directorates of Agriculture, to impose strict restrictive measures on the movement of small livestock in the pastures of the border belt. Farmers keeping sheep and goats should keep their herds under supervision, and avoid any contact with the herds of farmers from Albania.

Border authorities will strengthen controls at all border points and areas of the border strip with Albania, in order to prevent the introduction of the disease into the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.

Based on the current situation, it is important for farmers to increase caution and take the following actions:

• Avoid unnecessary movement of animals from one area to another

• Report any suspicious signs (fever, runny nose, weakness, diarrhea) to the veterinarian immediately.

• Limit the contact of your herds with other animals, especially in border areas.

• Respect the instructions and advice of the FVA.

• Do not buy animals from other farms without knowing their health status.

• Increase biosecurity measures on your farms.

PPR is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects sheep and goats. It is spread through direct contact with sick animals, while the source of infection is secretions and feces. Clinical signs include: high fever, runny nose, eye inflammation, decreased appetite, diarrhea and in severe cases, death. This disease is not zoonotic, so it is not transmitted to humans and does not pose a risk to public health. /CNA