Following the first reports of suspected cases of the viral disease “Blue Tongue”, the Food and Veterinary Agency (AVF) has confirmed through laboratory tests the presence of this disease in two farms – one in the village of Marec, Pristina municipality, and the other in the village of Brus, Lipjan municipality.
To prevent the further spread of the disease, the FVA has imposed general restrictive measures on the movement of animals throughout the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.
The decision issued on July 29, 2025, provides for a complete ban on the movement of animals from farms, as well as their trading and sale in markets.
According to this decision:
Farms where the disease has been confirmed will be completely isolated and considered infected.
Farmers are obliged to immediately report any changes in the health status of their animals.
Biosecurity measures should be activated, including the use of insecticides to eliminate mosquitoes (main vectors of spread).
Locations will be designated for the burial of dead animals.
Also, all market managers have been ordered to suspend activity, while Kosovo Police, municipal authorities and veterinary inspectors are obliged to assist in supervising the implementation of the measures.
Bluetongue is a viral disease that affects domestic ruminants – particularly sheep, goats and cattle. It is not contagious from animal to human or animal to animal; it is spread only through the bite of insects of the type Culicoides (mosquito).
Exceptionally, the movement of animals from free farms to licensed slaughterhouses will be allowed, but only with prior approval from the AUV’s veterinary inspectors.
The AUV says it will continue with epidemiological research, sampling and laboratory analyses, while the measures remain in force until a new decision.