Brazil has confirmed an outbreak of Newcastle disease on a commercial turkey farm in the southern state of Santa Catarina.

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, André de Paula told a press conference yesterday (Monday, October 19) that the outbreak was confirmed following laboratory analyses of samples collected between September 21 and October 14.

The minister said the farm has approximately 6,000 turkeys for meat production.

However, he said that the birds remained on the property and were not intended for meat production for consumption.

Newcastle disease

Newcastle disease is a highly contagious and often severe viral disease that affects birds including domestic poultry and other bird species.

In its highly pathogenic form, Newcastle disease is a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) listed disease and must be reported.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) confirmed that the premises where the outbreak was confirmed was closed by the official veterinary service, with the movement of birds suspended.

The ministry said control, containment, and eradication measures for the outbreak will be implemented in accordance with WOAH protocols.

This will include epidemiological monitoring being carried out in a restricted area covering approximately 133 properties.

Technical teams visit these sites to carry out clinical assessments of the birds and collect samples for laboratory analysis with the aim of identifying possible clinical signs of Newcastle disease.

Trade

The detection of Newcastle disease will raise export concerns for Brazil which is the world's largest poultry and chicken meat exporter, holding over 37% of the global market share.

MAPA said it will officially communicate the outbreak to the WOAH and the country's trading partners, including information the measures adopted and the sanitary control procedures.

It said that any trade restrictions will follow the health protocols established in trade agreements with each market.

It is expected that Brazilian poultry exports to China will be suspended until Chinese authorities decide on how far ranging restrictions should apply.

The ministry said it will maintain dialogue with international health authorities to provide clarifications and update partners on the progress of actions.

The Ministry of Agriculture will continue to monitor the situation and will release new information as investigations progress and health and commercial measures are implemented.

Despite the need to adopt sanitary measures to control the outbreak, Mapa emphasised that the consumption of poultry products subjected to official inspection remains safe.

Minister de Paula said there is no risk to human health associated with the consumption of poultry products that have undergone official sanitary inspection .

"I wanted to highlight, because I think it's important to emphasise, that consuming this meat poses no risk to people," he said (translated).