In Greece, ‘crisis’ goat plague scares farmers still reeling from historic floods

Goat plague is the last thing Ioanna Karra needs.

The Greek farmer lost nearly all her livestock and equipment in devastating flooding last year and now, as the deadly virus spreads across Greek farms, she must buy expensive disinfectant to keep her remaining animals safe.

Goat plague, also known as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), was detected last month for the first time in Greece. The virus does not infect humans, but is highly contagious among goats and sheep and can kill up to 70 per cent of those infected.

Once a case is detected, the entire flock is culled, the affected farm is disinfected and authorities test animals in nearby areas for the disease, in line with protocols set by the European Union.

The government this week imposed a temporary ban on the movement or slaughter of sheep and goats. Twenty-two farms have been infected, mostly in the centre of the country, 12,000 animals have been culled and more than 300,000 tested.