Goat plague scares Greek 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.

"We cannot bear the slightest damage for a second year in a row," Karra told Reuters from her dairy farm in the village of Zilefti in the Thessaly region of central Greece.

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% 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...