Brazil declares end of bird flu outbreak and prepares to resume exports

Brazil, the world’s largest chicken exporter, has declared an end to the bird flu outbreak on commercial farms after 28 days without new cases, Bloomberg reported.

“We expect key importers to gradually resume purchases,” said Ricardo Santin, president of the Brazilian Livestock Association.

Recognition of the country’s “bird flu-free” status by the World Organization for Animal Health is expected within days, he said, after reviewing the documents submitted.

The first case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected on a poultry farm in May. Until then, commercial poultry in Brazil had not been affected by the disease, which has killed tens of millions of birds worldwide in a few years.

More than 20 countries have completely stopped importing Brazilian chicken since the virus was detected. Some key markets, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have imposed only partial restrictions.

Brazil accounts for more than a third of global chicken exports, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that Brazil will account for two-thirds of the growth in global exports this year.

Tags: Brazil