Government health officials in Bulgaria say 200 farm animals will be slaughtered in a village near the southern border with Turkey to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

National Veterinary Service director Yordan Voinov has confirmed that all cloven-hoofed animals in the village of Rezovo will be culled after several cases of the highly contagious disease were detected.

It is the second outbreak of the disease within a week, after 530 farm animals were slaughtered at another border village.

Mr Voinov has said roaming buffaloes from Turkey – believed to be carrying the disease into the country – will also be slaughtered.

A team of veterinary experts from the European Commission is due in Bulgaria on 17 January 2011.

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