Disease outbreak, Kosovo temporarily bans import of live animals and pork from Serbia
Express newspaper
30/07/2025 14:19
The Veterinary and Food Agency has announced through a press release that Kosovo has banned the import of live animals and pork products from Serbia due to the outbreak of Bluetongue and African Swine Fever.
“Following the announcements published in the ADIS and WAHIS systems confirming the outbreak of Bluetongue – BT and African Swine Fever – ASF in the state of Serbia, in order to prevent the spread of diseases in our country, the Food and Veterinary Agency has imposed a temporary ban on the import of live animals of the cattle, sheep, goats and pigs (pork products) from the entire territory of the Republic of Serbia,” the AUVA statement said.
The FVA has announced that any import of any type of pork products originating from Serbia is prohibited, even as food during travel.
“Border Authorities operating within the framework of Integrated Border Management, Kosovo Police, Customs and AUVA, must increase the level of control measures at all border points. This is to prevent the entry into the country of live cattle, sheep, pigs and pork products from this country. Increased control vigilance will also be exercised on the personal luggage of passengers, to prevent the entry of any type of pork product, which falls into the category of products carrying the African Swine Fever disease. While the decision is in force, citizens are prohibited from crossing the border with any pork product originating from Serbia, even as food during the trip,” it further states.
“Everyone is obligated to help and act to prevent the spread of diseases.”
Bluetongue is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of insects of the Colicoides genus (mosquitoes). This disease affects domestic ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats). Of these, sheep are the most susceptible, followed by goats and cattle. Clinical signs and deaths occur only in sheep. Cattle serve as a reservoir for the disease.
African Swine Fever is an infectious viral disease that affects wild and domestic pigs. This disease is caused by African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) and is known for its resistance and high mortality in pigs.
“These diseases are not zoonotic, meaning they are not transmitted to humans and do not pose a risk to public health,” the announcement concludes./Express/