Brucellosis Outbreak in Ashotsk

Abrucellosis outbreak has been detected in about 50 large cattle in the Musayelyan community of the Ashotsk region. This information was reported by the community to NEWS.am.

The infected animals have been taken to a processing facility and subjected to mandatory culling. “This disease occurs every year in about 5-10 animals, but this year it’s a bit more, as around 50 cows have been found infected,” community representatives informed the media.

“The brucellosis outbreak in the Shirak region has gone out of control. In many areas of the Ashotsk community, there are infected livestock, while people remain uninformed and unprotected. Meanwhile, governmental structures are silent. There is no supervision, no serious compensation, nor accountability. The state must act, rather than wait for the epidemic to reach other communities in the region. Here, the villagers are left alone, without any significant state support. In Shirak, brucellosis is not just an infection, but rather a systemic crisis deepening due to state failures,” warned MP Mher Melkonyan from the Armenia faction.

The MP demands an urgent response from governmental bodies. He visited the Musayelyan neighborhood in the Ashotsk community.

Auroranews contacted the Ministry of Health. The agency stated that the issue falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy. Regarding their part, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention has been providing information. Since March, local awareness efforts have been ongoing in the Shirak region.

The Ministry of Economy informed Auroranews that the issue is within the domain of the State Food Safety Service. They also recently stated that after confirming the disease, they are monitoring to ensure that the mandatory culling of the infected animal takes place within 15 days. Decontamination follows immediately after.

However, there are numerous questions concerning the current situation that require answers. Today is Sunday, and detailed clarifications from the relevant authorities are likely to be provided tomorrow.