July 12, 2006

Newcastle disease has not spread in latest Brazilian outbreak

Brazil's Agriculture Ministry said Tuesday (Jul 11) preliminary observations indicate that a case of Newcastle disease in chickens on a small farm in Vale Real in Rio Grande do Sul state has not spread to birds on properties within 10 kilometres, including industrial chicken ranges.

"Blood tests were collected, and until now we have not seen any evidence of the disease," the Department of Animal Health at the Agriculture Ministry said in a note Tuesday.

The government confirmed a case of Newcastle disease on the Vale Real property last Thursday. The property has been under watch since early May, after the owner told state health authorities that one bird was having severe respiratory problems, a Newcastle disease symptom. Sixteen birds died. All 44 birds on the property were culled to prevent the spread of the disease. Similar symptoms have not been observed since May.

Final test results are expected as early as Friday.

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.

Newcastle is a highly contagious viral disease among fowl and poses a threat to the poultry industry. 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. So far, no country has banned chicken from Rio Grande do Sul.

The Agriculture Ministry said it has temporarily prohibited transportation of chickens and chicken products and is no longer issuing animal health certificates for birds destined for international trade in that 10-kilometre region around Vale Real.