February 26, 2007

Brazil suspects Newcastle Disease on domestic farms in Mato Grosso

Animal health authorities from the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso said Friday (Feb 23) that they had culled more than 200 chickens on four domestic properties suspected to be affected by Newcastle disease.

An animal health veterinarian from the Mato Grosso animal defense department, Indea, said some chickens died of the unknown virus in the town of Barra do Bugres. Indea is waiting official government lab results to confirm whether the birds actually died of Newcastle disease.

He said Indea culled the birds to prevent other birds from catching or spreading the virus, until now suspected to be Newcastle.

The land owners on the four properties kept the birds for their own use. It was not a commercial operation.

Newcastle disease is a highly contagious virus attacking chickens, ducks, geese and wild birds. It can be spread easily to other birds through direct contact with faeces, contaminated feed, water or even human clothing. Symptoms include respiratory and nervous signs, gasping, swollen eyes and misshapen or thin-shelled eggs.

Indea said some 100 eggs were destroyed to prevent the spreading of the virus, should it turn out to be Newcastle.

A confirmed case of Newcastle occurred on Oct 31, in a small family owned chicken coop in a nearby town. The property had 46 chickens and 26 of them died of Newcastle disease.

Brazil is the world's largest chicken exporter.