Brazil confirms first outbreak of avian influenza on commercial farm

Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, first confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian flu among wild birds in May 2023, and has since seen outbreaks in the wild in at least seven states.

Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture confirmed on Friday the first outbreak of avian influenza on a commercial farm in the country.

The outbreak, which could trigger trade bans, occurred in the city of Montenegro in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said it was taking the necessary measures to contain and eradicate the outbreak, officially notifying the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), Brazil's trade partners and other interested parties.

Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, first confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian flu among wild birds in May 2023, and has since seen outbreaks in the wild in at least seven states.

After that first outbreak, Japan suspended purchases of poultry from the state of Espirito Santo, where at the time an outbreak was confirmed on a non-commercial farm.

The disease is not transmitted through the consumption of poultry meat or eggs, the farm ministry said, noting that the risk of human infection is low and mostly occurs among professionals who have contact with infected birds.

"The Brazilian and world population can rest assured about the safety of inspected products, and there are no restrictions on their consumption," the statement said.

According to the ministry, the Brazilian veterinary service has been trained and equipped to deal with this disease since the first decade of the 2000s.

Actions include monitoring wild birds, epidemiological surveillance in commercial and subsistence poultry farming, and constant training of technicians, it said.