Brazil confirms first outbreak of avian influenza on commercial farm

São Paulo, Brazil - Brazil, the world's largest poultry exporter, confirmed its first outbreak of avian influenza on a commercial farm in a statement from the Agriculture Ministry on Friday, raising the prospect of restrictions from trade partners.

The outbreak occurred in the city of Montenegro in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, the ministry said.

Brazil exported $10 billion of chicken meat in 2024, accounting for about 35% of global trade, much of it sold by BRF and JBS SA, which ship to some 150 countries.

"All necessary measures to control the situation were quickly adopted, and the situation is under control and being monitored by government agencies," said national pork and poultry group ABPA in a statement.

The ministry said it was taking the necessary measures to contain and eradicate the outbreak, officially notifying the World Organization for Animal Health, Brazil's trade partners and other interested parties.

The country, which exported more than 5 million metric tons of chicken products last year, first confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian flu among wild birds in May 2023 in at least seven states.

In June of that year, Japan suspended purchases of poultry from the state of Espirito Santo, following an outbreak there on a non-commercial farm.

The disease is not transmitted through the consumption of poultry meat or eggs, the farm ministry said, noting that the risk of human infection is low and mostly occurs among professionals who have contact with infected birds.

"The Brazilian and world population can rest assured about the safety of inspected products, and there are no restrictions on their consumption," the statement said.

According to the ministry, the Brazilian veterinary service has been trained and equipped to deal with this disease since the first decade of the 2000s.

Actions include monitoring wild birds, epidemiological surveillance in commercial and subsistence poultry farming, and constant training of technicians, it said.

(Reporting by Roberto Samora and Ana Mano. Writing by Isabel Teles. Editing by Brad Haynes and Mark Potter)