Polymerase chain reaction

Bulgaria recorded a case of monkeypox in June 2023, involving a 36-year-old man who tested positive for a less severe strain of the virus. The patient was isolated and successfully treated. This follows six cases reported in the summer of 2022.

Due to small ruminant plague outbreaks in Northern Greece, Bulgaria mandates vehicle disinfection at all border crossings starting August 5. Animals will undergo PCR testing, and border crossing will be allowed only after a negative result. Authorities advise against mixing herds and urge monitoring for symptoms....

In response to the threat of a whooping cough epidemic, Bulgaria has enacted temporary anti-epidemic measures aimed at curbing the spread of the disease. The measures, which came into effect today and will remain in place until the end of July, include free PCR testing for diagnosis in key cities such as Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Pleven, and Stara Zagora.

181 new cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours. 13 of them have been confirmed with PCR, and 168 with rapid antigen tests. 66.30% of the new cases identified in the last 24 hours are of individuals who have not received any dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

A negative coronavirus PCR or rapid test will be required of all air passengers traveling from China until January 31, Greece's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced in a notice to airmen (notam) on Monday.

The price of Covid rapid and self-tests as well as PCR tests in pharmacies has increased, as they are now subject to a 6% VAT rate, the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) has said.

In a circular, the AADE pointed out that an EU directive allowing for a temporary VAT exemption for vaccines and testing kits had expired on December 31, 2022.

Negative Covid-19 tests will be required for people traveling by air from China to Cyprus from January 15, the island's health ministry said on Wednesday.

"We are already in a new wave of COVID-19", confirmed on Nova TV the chief state health inspector Dr. Angel Kunchev.

"We are moving 3-4 weeks after what is happening in Western Europe. In the next two to three weeks, we are expected to face an increase in the new wave," he said.

As of June 23, 2022, two cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in Bulgaria. The patients are men aged 41 and 44, respectively. Both are hospitalized in hospitals in the capital and are in good general condition. Laboratory samples sent by medical institutions were confirmed at the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases by specific real-time PCR analyzes.

Travelers will not need to show proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19, taken no more than 72 hours, or rapid antigen tests, taken no more than 48 hours, to enter Turkey, the country's interior ministry has said.