What is ‘goat plague’ that has forced Greece to ban the movement of livestock?

Greece is experiencing an outbreak of cases of Peste des Petits Ruminants, a deadly virus that does not affect humans but is fatal for goats and sheep. The virus’s spread can have a profound impact on the European country that has the largest goat population and is crucial in making the country’s trademark feta cheese The movement of sheep and goats for breeding, fattening and slaughter is banned throughout Greece, the country's agricultural ministry informed. Reuters A pastoral crisis is brewing in Greece as it combats a deadly outbreak of “goat plague.” In response to new cases detected over the weekend, the country has banned the movement of sheep and goats across pastures to contain the highly contagious infection, the agriculture ministry announced. According to the European Union’s Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries report for 2020, Greece has approximately 3,625,000 goats that play a crucial role in making the country’s trademark product: feta cheese. Greece has approximately 3,625,000 goats that play a crucial role in making the country’s trademark product: feta cheese.