Brazil has confirmed its first outbreak of avian influenza on a commercial poultry farm in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. This development has raised concerns within the country’s poultry industry, as Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of chicken meat, accounting for approximately 35% of global trade in 2024. The outbreak follows earlier cases detected in wild birds across several Brazilian states since May 2023, but this is the first instance of the virus affecting commercial poultry.
In response to the outbreak, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture has activated a contingency plan aimed at containing the disease and preventing its spread. The plan includes measures such as culling infected birds, disinfecting affected areas, and enhancing surveillance around the affected farm. The Ministry has also notified international trade partners and relevant authorities about the situation. While the risk to human health remains low, as avian influenza primarily spreads through direct contact with infected birds, the incident has prompted some countries to impose temporary import restrictions on Brazilian poultry products.
Despite these challenges, Brazil’s Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro expressed confidence that the country’s poultry exports would not face a complete ban. He emphasized Brazil’s critical role in the global poultry market and suggested that trade relations, particularly with key buyers like China, should remain stable.
The outbreak serves as a reminder of the ongoing risks posed by avian influenza and underscores the importance of stringent biosecurity measures in preventing the spread of the virus. Brazil’s swift response and transparent communication with international partners are crucial in managing the situation and maintaining confidence in the safety of its poultry products.
