31 March 2015, Rome/Abidjan--- Ongoing work is being done to monitor and control a number of viruses that threaten the lives of millions of livestock worldwide. As food production increases to feed a growing population, the need to protect livestock becomes more and more vital. Ovine Rinderpest, also known as Peste des Petits Ruminants - PPR for short - is a menacing disease for pastoralists. It is often referred to as a “goat plague” because it is a highly contagious virus affecting small ruminants, like sheep and goats. And it is a disease that has severe implications on the livelihoods of farmers and overall global food security. From the 31 March to 2 April 2015, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the OIE, the World Organization for Animal Health, are joining forces in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire to discuss the issues around PPR.