June 2, 2005

Unidentified poultry illness in Brazil not linked to bird flu

17,000 chickens were culled in a central western Brazilian state in response to a mysterious poultry illness suspected to be Exotic Newcastle Disease (END). While Brazilian authorities report that the mysterious disease is suspected to be END amid identification tests, there is no link to bird flu in any way.

According to reports, there were roadblocks located around the infected Brazilian farm and 107 chicken farms were quarantined in the affected town.

Brazil is the world's largest chicken exporter and has seen a great increase in poultry exports partly due to the outbreak of bird flu in Asia.