Guidance

Peste des petits ruminants (goat plague): how to spot and report it

The signs of peste des petits ruminants, which is sometimes known as goat plague, and how to report it.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Peste des petits ruminants affects sheep and goats.

It does not affect people. 

The disease has never been recorded in Great Britain.

How to spot peste des petits ruminants 

Signs of infection may include: 

  • fever 
  • discharge from the eyes and nose, which can form a crust, making breathing difficult and forcing eyes shut 
  • coughing 
  • very bad smelling breath 
  • diarrhoea 

Most sheep and goats that show signs of the disease will die. 

Cattle and pigs can also be infected, but do not show signs of disease.

How peste des petits ruminants is spread 

The virus is excreted in bodily fluids of infected animals, especially: 

  • discharge from eyes
  • mucus from the nose 
  • coughs 

It is spread by close contact, and especially by airborne droplets of the virus.

Report suspected peste des petits ruminants

If you suspect peste des petits ruminants, you must report it immediately by calling:  

  • 03000 200 301 in England   
  • 03003 038 268 in Wales   
  • your local Field Services Office in Scotland   

Peste des petits ruminants is a notifiable animal disease. This means if you do not report it, you’re breaking the law.

Find out about what happens when you report peste des petits ruminants, including support available.

Preventing and controlling disease

You can help prevent disease by maintaining good hygiene and biosecurity on your premises. 

Find out about how the government will control an outbreak in the:  

Updates to this page

Published 26 August 2014
Last updated 18 October 2018 + show all updates
  1. Contact details for reporting a notifiable disease updated.

  2. First published.

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