Precautionary state of emergency declared in Brazil’s Paraná state due to bird flu

In response to the detection of avian influenza in wild migratory birds, the government of Paraná, a significant poultry producer state in Brazil, has proclaimed a zoo-sanitary emergency.

The declaration intends to facilitate swift action should any indication of industry contamination surface.

This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Agriculture’s recommendation, which applies to all Brazilian states for a duration of 180 days.

Paraná holds a prominent role in Brazil’s chicken meat production, accounting for 36% of all sector slaughter in 2022, as per the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein.

Federal data indicate the state’s output at 4.4 million tons of chicken meat that year.

Moreover, Brazil, being the world’s leading exporter of this type of protein, shipped 4.7 million tons abroad in 2022, generating a revenue of US $9.5 billion.

Paraná contributed to 40% of this figure.

So far, seven avian influenza outbreaks have been identified in Paraná, all in migratory wild birds, across four municipalities.

Despite these detections, Paraná’s and Brazil’s food industries remain free of the disease, as no incidence has been reported.

Consumption of poultry meat or eggs does not transmit avian flu to humans.

Infections typically occur through direct contact with infected birds or their droppings, commonly among those handling poultry without necessary precautions.

While human infection is rare, it is a health concern due to the high fatality rate among the infected.

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