Immediate and ongoing measures across the country have been announced by authorities in Greece to combat a deadly viral outbreak of sheep and goat plague that is threatening the local livestock industry.
After the cases recorded in 35 farms across the country, more than 13000 small cattle were slaughtered and buried, out of a total of 15 million, but it is estimated that their number will increase.
Kostas Tsiaras, the minister of agriculture and rural development, announced a ban on the commercial slaughter of goats and sheep, as well as a move to breed.
Also known as "goat plague", the PPR virus is a highly contagious disease that affects goats and sheep, causing severe illness and death. According to Greek officials, this has no negative effect on human health.
So far, about 7,000 animals in herds where the disease has been identified have been destroyed in the worst-hit central region of Thessaly, regional governor Dimitris Kouretas said on Monday.
Thessaly was also hit by a deadly storm last September that caused major flooding and extensive damage to livestock.
