Brazil Reports Its First Case of Avian Influenza

In a significant development, Brazil has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a commercial poultry production facility. In response to the outbreak, China has declared a 60-day halt on poultry exports from the affected region.

Details of the Outbreak

The outbreak was identified at a breeder poultry farm in Montenegro, located in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. This announcement was made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) on May 16.

This confirmation marks a pivotal moment in Brazil’s animal health monitoring, which had previously only documented isolated cases in wild birds or backyard flocks. Since 2006, HPAI has been prevalent in Asia, Africa, and Europe, but Brazil had successfully maintained its HPAI-free status in commercial farms.

State of Animal Health Emergency

In light of the outbreak, Mapa has declared a 60-day state of animal health emergency through Ordinance No. 795, published in the Federal Official Gazette. This decree establishes a control zone within a 10-kilometer radius of the affected property, allowing for immediate containment measures.

Actions stemming from this ordinance include:

• Quarantines of the affected property
• Restrictions on the movement of birds and poultry products
• Intensified inspections
• Animal culling for sanitary reasons

Signed by Minister Carlos Fávaro, the ordinance permits the expansion of the emergency area based on the outcomes of ongoing epidemiological investigations conducted by the Agricultural Defence Secretariat.

Impact on Poultry Exports

As the world’s largest poultry meat exporter, Brazil accounts for approximately 38% of global trade in this sector. In 2024, the country reached record levels in chicken and pork meat exports, according to the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA).

Chicken meat exports rose by 3% from 2023, totaling 5.294 million tonnes. This figure surpasses the previous year’s record of 5.138 million tonnes. In terms of revenue, exports reached an impressive US$9.928 billion in 2024, representing a 1.3% increase from the US$9.796 billion recorded in 2023.

Response Actions Implemented

Measures outlined in the National Contingency Plan for Avian Influenza have been set in motion. Federal and state teams are collaborating closely with the agriculture sector to contain the outbreak and curb the virus’s spread. Current actions include:

• Active surveillance
• Sample collection and laboratory testing
• Clinical inspections at farms in the affected region

Brazil has also officially notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), as well as the Ministries of Health and Environment, trade partners, and stakeholders within the production chains.

Safety of Consumption

In an official statement, Mapa reassured the public that avian influenza is not transmittable through the consumption of chicken meat or eggs. They emphasized that “the Brazilian and global population can remain assured regarding the safety of inspected products, with no restrictions on their consumption.”

The risk of human infection by the virus is deemed low and is primarily associated with direct exposure to infected live or dead birds, a risk usually faced by farm workers.

Ongoing Prevention and Vigilance

According to Mapa, Brazil’s Veterinary Service has been trained since the early 2000s to address such situations. The country has implemented extensive preventive measures over nearly two decades, which include:

• Monitoring of wild birds and flocks
• Regular training for veterinary technicians
• Sanitary education campaigns
• Inspections at points of entry for animals and products

These initiatives have been instrumental in maintaining Brazil’s HPAI-free status in commercial poultry for nearly 20 years. Now, in light of this emerging challenge, both the poultry sector and health authorities are on high alert, with the potential for additional measures to be implemented in the coming days.