Second outbreak of plague in Korça district/ Increased risk in farms in the Maliqi area

2025-06-24 17:33:00, Sociale CNA

Second outbreak of plague in Korça district/ Increased risk in farms in

A second outbreak of plague has been officially confirmed in the Korça region, this time in the village of Shkozë in the Maliq municipality. According to preliminary data, it is a farm owned by citizen Enkel Shkëmbasi, where about 19 heads of small cattle will be destroyed to curb the spread of the disease.

Many other animals are at risk in the area, while the observation perimeter extends to a distance of 3 to 10 kilometers. Adriatik Skënderasi from the Veterinary Service confirmed that laboratory tests came back positive for plague and that measures to eliminate the problematic herd have begun immediately. So far, 20 dead animals have been registered on this farm, which were buried yesterday. In total, the damage is estimated at over 40-50 million old lek.

"Currently, we have the second outbreak in the Korça region. We have 2-3 days, we sent the tests and they were confirmed positive for plague. Today we are carrying out the elimination. We are located in the village of Shkozë in Maliqi, where almost 190 small animals, sheep and goats will be eliminated. During the two days, we have also had 20 deaths, which were buried yesterday and there are about 211 heads of damage on this farm. The risk is present, we have defined a 3-10 km zone. The 3 km includes the villages of Zboq, Novoselë, Symizë, Këmbëthekër and Shkozë. We have ordered all farmers not to pass through this zone. The tests were taken the day before yesterday, the answer came yesterday positive and today we started the elimination. We will take more for confirmation if we have doubts, but currently we do not have any. The damage is great, 40-50 million old lek yes. To all farmers not only in Korça but all over "I have three things to say to Albania. Do not buy animals of unknown origin. Do not move animals from your farm to another farm. Do not take or take animals to the market. Only animals that pass through the slaughterhouse are allowed, being checked by a veterinarian. Everyone is on the ground, especially today the entire area has been combed. The risk is present and the only measure is to avoid contact with this farm," said Skënderasi.

Local officials are requesting maximum cooperation from farmers and taking the situation seriously. The Mayor of Maliq, Gëzim Topçiu, present on the ground, stressed the importance of stopping any livestock movement, to avoid the further spread of the plague.

"It is sad news, I hope it is the first and only. I am going to the scene myself to see the situation and to raise awareness and give messages for as few movements as possible, for as few purchases of livestock as possible at this moment and to hope that this does not spread to other areas. This is an area that keeps sheep, goats and the community of these areas itself keeps with these livestock, so we are trying to minimize the damage. Of course, we as a local government, but also the government will have support for all cases. We are in constant communication with the Ministry of Agriculture, with the deputy minister who covers this sector, with the prefect of the district, and all instances. Let's hope that they are minimized. We are following the situation after having held meetings with the village heads, the heads of administrative units with livestock farmers to make as few movements as possible to avoid making purchases in inappropriate places, but to prohibit purchases in "At this moment, categorically, do not move herds from one area to another. There is a special instruction for this work, which we have discussed, we have made it present, let's hope that the word and what the Ministry of Agriculture has recommended will be taken into consideration by everyone. We have taken all the measures, we hope that everyone will not take it as a game, but will take it with greater seriousness since it is in the service of everyone", said Topçiu.

Authorities continue to monitor the area intensively and warn that any negligence or violation of instructions will significantly increase the risk of the disease spreading to other areas of the county and beyond. /CNA