Brazil’s poultry industry was recently dealt a blow after Newcastle Disease (ND) was confirmed on a chicken farm in Rio Grande do Sul. Brazil has voluntarily suspended some exports of chickens and eggs as a result, though no other cases have been found.
Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry has ruled out three other suspected cases and right now believes the outbreak is an isolated incident. Still, countries seem to be proceeding cautiously, and understandably so. Newcastle is a nasty disease with a near-100% fatality rate. If Newcastle doesn’t wipe out the whole flock, the unfortunate survivors are typically culled anyway to prevent further spread of the disease.
Newcastle is a viral disease that affects both domestic and wild birds. It typically presents as a respiratory disease but it also has a host of other symptoms that can make it difficult to diagnose, including depression, nervous manifestations, or diarrhea.
ND can also be highly contagious. When the virus is introduced into a susceptible flock, virtually all the birds will be infected within two to six days.
ND is transmitted most often by direct contact with diseased or carrier birds. Transmission can then occur by direct contact with feces and respiratory discharges or by contaminated food, water, equipment, and human clothing. Newcastle disease viruses can survive for several weeks in the environment, especially in cool weather.
Generally, virus is shed during the incubation period and for a short time during recovery. Some infected birds can carry the virus without becoming ill and some species, such as those in the pigeon family, can shed the virus for a year or more.
After the ND case in Brazil was confirmed on July 17, the country voluntarily suspended all poultry meat and egg exports to China, Argentina and Mexico. Restrictions to other countries have been put in place on a regional basis. In total, exports to 44 countries have been impacted. The supensions will last for at least 21 days and should be lifted if no other outbreaks are reported.
Brazil is the world’s third-largest chicken producer, behind the US and China. However, it is the number one global chicken exporter. In 2023, the country exported nearly 5 billion metric tons of broiler meat versus US broiler exports of just over 3.3 MMT.
The outbreak in Rio Grande do Sul comes as the state’s animal livestock industry is trying to recover from massive flooding in May. Multiple meatpacking operations were forced to halt operations. Industry data indicates that poultry exports from Rio Grande do Sul were down nearly -5% in the first half of the year.
ND is considered to be under control in the US, Canada, and some European countries but it is still a common threat to poultry producers in parts of Africa, Asia, and South America, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This is Brazil’s first confirmed ND case since 2006. There is no effective treatment for ND but there are several different vaccines available for commercial use. You can learn more about Newcastle Disease HERE.
