Greece has banned the transportation of sheep and goats across the country to try to contain a highly contagious infection known as "goat plague", BBC reports.   

"The movement of sheep and goats for breeding, fattening and slaughter is banned throughout Greece," the agriculture ministry said.

The virus, also known as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), can kill between 80 per cent and 100 per cent of infected animals. It does not affect humans.

In a statement on Monday, the Greek agriculture ministry said the ban had been introduced "with the aim of limiting the spread and eradication of the disease".

It said that livestock farmers, cheesemakers, slaughterhouse owners and feed suppliers had been informed about the new restrictions.

At the weekend, ministry officials also held urgent meetings with local authorities in the regions where the new PPR cases had been detected.

The ministry said an investigation was under way to determine the source of the outbreak, not ruling out "suspicious imports" from abroad.

Greece is also liaising with the EU and veterinary services of the bloc's member states.

At least 7,000 animals have already been culled in Greece since the disease first surfaced in the country on 11 July.

Greece has the highest number of goats in Europe.

bd-pratidin/GR