July 7, 2006

 

Brazil confirms Newcastle disease on one poultry farm

 

 

Brazil's Agriculture Ministry confirmed in a press statement Thursday (Jul 6) a case of Newcastle disease in a chicken on a private property in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, one of Brazil's most important chicken-producing states.

 

The property is located in Vale Real, 90 kilometres from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul's capital. The property owner's chickens are not part of the local chicken industry, the Agriculture Ministry said in the statement.

 

A government lab confirmed the virus on Jul 4.

 

A three-kilometre quarantine zone has been established around the property, with federal and state animal health monitors watching properties and transportation within a 10-kilometre radius of the property.

 

The Secretary of Agriculture in Rio Grande do Sul began monitoring the Vale Real farm on May 4 when a bird showed respiratory problems symptomatic of Newcastle disease.

 

Newcastle is a highly contagious viral disease among fowls and poses a threat to the poultry industry. Unlike bird flu, Newcastle disease is not harmful to humans and does not present a public health risk to consumers of poultry products. However, the virus can be spread by humans to other birds, particularly on contaminated footwear and clothing.

 

The last occurrence of Newcastle in Brazil was in 2001 on a private property in the state of Goias.

 

The Brazilian Poultry Union, a trade group representing major meat production companies such as Sadia (SDA) and Perdigao (PDA), said Newcastle did not cause countries to ban Brazilian chicken in 2001.

 

Brazil is the world's leading chicken exporter.