World · Latin America · 3 hrs ago
Brazil declares animal health emergency in four Santa Catarina municipalities
Brazil detected Newcastle disease virus at a commercial turkey farm in Nova Itaberaba, in the state of Santa Catarina.
The farm had about 6,000 turkeys, and authorities ordered it closed and said the birds would be destroyed.
The emergency covers four municipalities for 60 days, allowing authorities to coordinate and speed up disease-control measures.
Newcastle disease is a contagious virus that affects domestic and wild birds; producer groups said the virus was detected without signs of illness in the birds.
Inspected poultry products remain safe to eat, according to the government.
The detection could disrupt Brazilian poultry exports, because an agreement with China provides for suspending imports if the disease is found.
Officials said they had not been told of any export suspension, and discussions with China are beginning as Brazil considers whether restrictions could be limited to the affected area.
Brazil declared a 60-day animal health emergency in four municipalities in Santa Catarina after detecting Newcastle disease virus at a commercial turkey farm.
The affected municipalities are Águas Frias, Coronel Freitas, Nova Itaberaba and Nova Erechim.
The farm has about 6,000 turkeys, which remained at the property and were not sent for meat production.
Authorities said they were controlling the outbreak and that inspected poultry products remain safe to consume.
The detection raised concerns about possible disruption to Brazilian poultry exports, including to China.
- Who
- Brazil’s federal government declared the emergency after the virus was detected at a commercial turkey farm.
- What
- A 60-day animal health emergency was declared in four municipalities following detection of Newcastle disease virus.
- When
- Monday, October 19, 2026.
- Where
- Águas Frias, Coronel Freitas, Nova Itaberaba and Nova Erechim, in Santa Catarina, Brazil.
- Why
- The virus was detected at a commercial turkey farm in the state.
Brazilian poultry industry representatives
Brazilian government officials
Export restrictions
Brazilian poultry industry representatives
ABPA president Ricardo Santin said an agreement with China provides for suspension of Brazilian poultry exports if the disease occurs.
Brazilian government officials
Officials said regionalization protocols could limit restrictions to the affected area and said they were informing trade partners.
Brazil’s first recorded Newcastle disease case in commercial poultry production was identified in Anta Gorda, Rio Grande do Sul.
Samples were collected at the Santa Catarina farm before laboratory analyses confirmed the virus.
The World Organisation for Animal Health was notified of the case.
The federal government declared a 60-day animal health emergency in four Santa Catarina municipalities.
- Emergency duration
- 60 days
- Affected municipalities
- Águas Frias, Coronel Freitas, Nova Itaberaba and Nova Erechim
- Farm location
- Nova Itaberaba, Santa Catarina
- Turkeys at the farm
- Approximately 6,000
- Export destination
- China was Brazil’s largest chicken-meat import market this year; it imported 420,000 tonnes from January to September
3 sources
What people are saying
We do not want to anticipate partners' reaction; discussions with China begin now.
Consumption of poultry products inspected by the Official Veterinary Service remains safe and without contraindications.