ROME, September 9, 2008 (AFP) - Millions of sheep and goats in Morocco are at risk after an outbreak of a viral and contagious disease, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said in a statement on Tuesday.

The 'Peste des Petits Ruminants' disease was first discovered in Morocco last month.

The disease can affect goats, sheep and other animals. It transmitted through close contact between livestock.

The outbreak has so far largely affected sheep, with 133 known cases in 129 provinces, the statement said.

The FAO said the movement of affected animals could have caused the outbreak. The UN organisation has already sent out a response team to control and limit the spread of the disease.

The FAO put Morocco's sheep population is 17 million and its goat population is five million and stressed that both play an important role in supporting the livelihoods of millions of families.

After the start of the holy month of Ramadan, the buying and selling of animals is set to increase in North Africa. Without the proper controls in place, the virus can spread rapidly, the FAO warned.