Brazil confirms first case of avian influenza at commercial poultry farm

Brazil has confirmed – for the first time – the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a commercial poultry production facility. After news of the outbreak broke, China declared a 60-day halt on poultry exports from the affected region in Brazil. 

The avian influenza outbreak was identified at a breeder poultry farm located in Montenegro in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, as announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) Friday 16 May.

Confirming the disease in a commercial poultry system marks a new stage in the country’s animal health monitoring, which had previously recorded only isolated cases in wild or backyard birds. Since 2006, highly pathogenic avian influenza has been circulating in countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, but Brazil had maintained its status as free from the disease in commercial farms.

In response, Mapa has declared a state of animal health emergency for 60 days, through Ordinance No. 795, published in the Federal Official Gazette. The measure establishes a control zone within a 10-km radius around the affected property and authorises immediate containment actions.

It means property quarantines, restrictions on the movement of birds and poultry products, intensified inspections, and animal culling for sanitary purposes.

The ordinance, signed by Minister Carlos Fávaro, allows the emergency area to be expanded depending on the progress of epidemiological investigations conducted by the Agricultural Defence Secretariat.

Brazil is the largest exporter of poultry meat, accounting for around 38% of international trade. In 2024, Brazil reached historic levels in chicken and pork meat exports, according to data from the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA).

Chicken meat exports, including fresh and processed products, grew by 3% compared to 2023, totalling 5.294 million tonnes. This represents the largest volume ever recorded by the sector, surpassing the 5.138 million tonnes shipped in the previous year.

In revenue terms, the performance was also record-breaking. Exports totalled US$9.928 billion in 2024, up 1.3% from the US$ 9.796 billion recorded in 2023.

Brazil has also officially notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Ministries of Health and Environment, trade partners, and representatives from involved production chains.

In an official statement, Mapa emphasised that avian influenza is not transmitted through the consumption of chicken meat or eggs, stating: “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 considered low and is usually associated with individuals in direct contact with infected live or dead birds, such as farm workers.

According to Mapa, Brazil’s Veterinary Service has been trained since the early 2000s to handle situations like this. The country has implemented a series of preventive measures for nearly 2 decades, including wild bird surveillance, monitoring of commercial and backyard flocks, regular training for technicians, sanitary education campaigns, and inspection at points of entry for animals and products. These efforts were crucial in maintaining Brazil’s HPAI-free status in commercial poultry farming for nearly 20 years.

Now, in the face of this new scenario, the poultry sector and health authorities remain on high alert, with the possibility of additional measures being announced in the coming days.

Tags: China, Brazil, outbreak, highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI