Bulgaria has seen a sharp rise in diseases transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes, including Lyme disease and West Nile fever, with health authorities warning of an urgent need for stricter pest control measures.
The number of cases of diseases transmitted by vectors such as ticks and mosquitoes is climbing in Bulgaria, reaching and in some cases exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).
In 2023, Bulgarian health authorities registered 295 cases of vector-borne diseases, including 10 imported cases of malaria. That number has already surged to 419 in the first few months of 2024, driven by alarming increases in Lyme borreliosis and West Nile fever — with incidence rates rising twofold and thirty-onefold, respectively.
The spike comes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and is attributed to a return to normal social activity, climate-related changes, and possibly reduced vector control during lockdown periods. In response, the government is seeking to amend Regulation No. 1 of 2018, which governs procedures for disinfection, disinfestation, and deratization — the key methods for controlling pests and limiting the spread of infectious diseases.
The proposed changes, currently open for public consultation until May 19, aim to improve the timeliness and effectiveness of pest-control services. Authorities emphasize that proactive treatment is essential to curbing outbreaks and protecting public health.
Officials also underline the broader public health implications of the rise in transmissible infections, warning that untreated pest infestations may lead to further surges in disease, straining Bulgaria’s healthcare system.
The draft regulation reflects growing concern over the social and economic burden posed by vector-borne illnesses and aims to strengthen Bulgaria’s readiness to respond to such threats in a more coordinated and effective manner.
A tragic plane crash early Thursday morning shook a quiet residential neighborhood in San Diego, California. According to officials, there are two dead, eight injured.
Adidas and Puma are expected to raise prices in the U.S. after Nike increased footwear costs, as rising import tariffs push up expenses across the sportswear industry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticized UK’s Starmer, France’s Macron, and Canada’s Carney for urging a halt to Israel’s military action in Gaza, accusing them of siding with Hamas and undermining justice.
The second meeting of customs leaders from Central Asia and China was held in Almaty, focusing on digitalization, AI integration, border crossing agreements, and expanding cooperation to strengthen regional trade and logistics.
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Islamic Development Bank Group, with the 2026 Annual Meeting set to take place in Azerbaijan.
Northern France sees major farmer protests as key agricultural reforms face parliamentary review, sparking road blockades and rising tensions.
The Trump administration is moving toward lifting sanctions on Syria, but officials caution that coordinating between government agencies means the process will take longer than initially expected.
The 7th Ethnosport Culture Festival kicked off in Istanbul with Azerbaijan’s 100-member team and famed Karabakh horses drawing major attention.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi declared that the United States would bear legal responsibility if Israel launches an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, amid reports of potential Israeli military action and ongoing nuclear negotiations in Rome.
A rare naval misstep has shaken North Korea’s tightly choreographed military image, prompting an urgent internal probe and public scolding from Kim Jong Un.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
AnewZ and Kazakhstan’s Jibek Joly/Silk Way TV channel co-hosted a special AnewZ Talks in Astana at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU), uniting global experts and young leaders at Silk Road Media Group’s journalism school to explore the growing intersection of media and diplomacy.
The Tehran Dialogue Forum 2025, scheduled for May 18–19, will host 200 international guests, including 40 current and former European officials.
G7 finance leaders meeting in Canada pledged to tackle global imbalances and suggested tougher sanctions on Russia, while also taking aim at unfair economic practices widely attributed to China.
Researchers have developed a new testing method that could diagnose brain tumors within hours, potentially allowing treatment to begin during surgery.
Southeast Asia is witnessing a renewed surge in COVID-19 infections, with Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Thailand all reporting sharp increases, raising concerns about a possible new wave of the virus across the region.
In January 2025, the CIA made headlines by revising its position on the origins of COVID-19, now favoring the laboratory leak theory over natural origins.
Matcha and coffee have both surged in popularity as go-to beverages for energy and potential health benefits. While coffee has long dominated the morning routine of many people worldwide, matcha-a powdered form of specially grown green tea-has emerged as a compelling alternative.
Northern France sees major farmer protests as key agricultural reforms face parliamentary review, sparking road blockades and rising tensions.
The Trump administration is moving toward lifting sanctions on Syria, but officials caution that coordinating between government agencies means the process will take longer than initially expected.
The 7th Ethnosport Culture Festival kicked off in Istanbul with Azerbaijan’s 100-member team and famed Karabakh horses drawing major attention.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi declared that the United States would bear legal responsibility if Israel launches an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, amid reports of potential Israeli military action and ongoing nuclear negotiations in Rome.
A rare naval misstep has shaken North Korea’s tightly choreographed military image, prompting an urgent internal probe and public scolding from Kim Jong Un.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment