As 'Goat-plague' outbreak in Greece threatens feta cheese production - could there be a threat to humans?

As 'Goat-plague' outbreak in Greece threatens feta cheese production - could there be a threat to humans? READ MORE: New 'lethal' mpox variant is spreading 'unchecked', experts warn By John Ely Deputy Health Editor For Mailonline Published: 13:17, 5 August 2024 | Updated: 13:28, 5 August 2024 e-mail View comments Could a virus behind a devastating 'goat plague' in Greece infect feta cheese supplies and jump to humans? Concerns surround a rapidly spreading outbreak of the deadly infection, with an estimated 14,000 affected animals already culled in the holiday hotspot. 'Goat plague', technically called peste des petits ruminants (PPR), can kill between a third to 100 per cent of herds it infects, with symptoms starting about three weeks after initial infection. It is known to spread through infected tears, mucus and tiny droplets when animals cough.

The outbreak, the second of its kind ever recorded in the EU, has prompted Greek farmers to calm fears about how the supply of feta cheese could be affected. Greek farmers have denied that production of the nation's famous feta cheese will be affected by the outbreak But what do scientists and officials say about the potential impact on human health? Greek farmers battling the outbreak have themselves denied production of feta cheese will be affected by the outbreak. Christos Tsopanos, a senior figure at the Association of Greek Livestock (SEK), has insisted the plague 'won’t endanger feta exports' with producers planning to roll.