Brazil Finds Third Poultry Disease Outbreak

BRAZIL · AGRICULTURE

Brazil has found Newcastle disease, a bird virus, on a third farm in Santa Catarina. Foreign buyers are watching to see whether they widen their poultry bans.

Brazil’s agriculture ministry confirmed a third Newcastle disease outbreak, a contagious bird virus, in Santa Catarina state on Tuesday, 27 October. Brazil is the world’s biggest chicken exporter, so each new farm can widen the import limits set by foreign buyers.

For US readers, the ministry says inspected poultry is safe, and its lists of restricting buyers do not name the United States. US poultry exporters do compete with Brazil for overseas customers, so the size of each ban matters to them.

What Happened in Santa Catarina

The first outbreak was confirmed on Sunday, 18 October, at a commercial turkey farm in Nova Itaberaba, in western Santa Catarina. The ministry says the farm holds about 6,000 turkeys, which stayed on site and were not destined for meat production.

A second case came on Saturday, 24 October, in Coronel Freitas, and a third on Tuesday, 27 October, in Nova Erechim. Both were found by surveillance inside the emergency area, and the ministry reports no significant change to its containment strategy.

A ministry order, number 962/2026, declared a 60-day animal-health emergency in Nova Itaberaba, Águas Frias, Coronel Freitas and Nova Erechim. Birds on infected farms are culled, and the movement of animals and other regulated materials in the area is controlled.

The ministry says all measures are finished at Nova Itaberaba, where the farm is now empty. Birds at Coronel Freitas have been culled, and cleaning continues there.

Agriculture Minister André de Paula said on Monday, 19 October, that eating inspected poultry carries no risk to people. The ministry works with Cidasc, Santa Catarina’s state farm-health agency, and the state’s civil police.

Brazil also notified the World Organisation for Animal Health, the Paris-based body that tracks animal diseases. It told its bilateral trading partners about the first outbreak, according to the ministry.

Why the Outbreak Matters for Trade

Brazil exported 5.324 million tonnes of chicken worth US$9.79 billion in 2025, says ABPA, the national poultry industry association. Epagri, Santa Catarina’s farm research agency, calls chicken the state’s top export by value for over a decade.

The ministry’s 28 October list shows Mexico, Malaysia and Uruguay restricting poultry from all of Brazil. China, Chile, Peru, Turkey, Paraguay, Uzbekistan and the Eurasian Economic Union restrict only Santa Catarina.

The European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Canada and Saudi Arabia limit their curbs to the four-municipality emergency area. This narrower approach, called regionalisation, lets trade follow where the disease actually is.

Using 2025 export data, the ministry estimates regionalisation avoids potential losses of about US$954 million a year. That hypothetical assumes the 2024 curbs were repeated; China accounts for US$485 million, Saudi Arabia US$293 million and Argentina US$57 million.

What It Means for You

Eating inspected chicken and eggs is safe, according to the ministry, and Newcastle disease is a bird disease, not a food-safety issue. US shoppers are unlikely to notice a change, because the ministry’s restriction lists do not name the United States.

Investors in Brazilian meat exporters should watch ministry updates, because a wider ban would hit export revenue. US poultry exporters compete with Brazil for buyers, so a broader ban could shift orders their way.

Related Rio Times reports cover the second outbreak, China’s narrower ban and Uruguay’s import halt. More is on the Brazil hub and the Florianópolis city page.

What Is Not Known

The ministry has not stated the farm type or bird count at Nova Erechim, nor the cull total. How the virus reached the farms is not known, and the ministry says a pigeon virus found outside the area is unconnected.

No date has been set for lifting any ban, and the ministry says other markets remain under monitoring. The ministry’s earlier list, updated 27 October, placed Saudi Arabia state-wide; the later 28 October note, used here, says area only.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many outbreaks has Brazil confirmed?

Three, all in Santa Catarina. They were confirmed in Nova Itaberaba on 18 October, Coronel Freitas on 24 October and Nova Erechim on 27 October.

What is Newcastle disease?

It is a contagious viral disease of birds, including chickens and turkeys. The ministry says eating inspected poultry meat and eggs poses no risk to people.

Is Brazilian chicken still being exported?

Yes, from most of the country, but Mexico, Malaysia and Uruguay restrict all of Brazil. China and several other buyers restrict only Santa Catarina, according to the ministry’s 28 October list.

Does the outbreak affect US consumers?

Not directly. The ministry’s lists of restricting markets do not include the United States, and the disease does not make inspected chicken unsafe.

Sources: Agriculture Ministry, regionalisation note, 28 October; Agriculture Ministry, Nova Erechim outbreak, 27 October; Agriculture Ministry, Coronel Freitas outbreak, 25 October; Agriculture Ministry, export restrictions list, updated 27 October; Agriculture Ministry, minister’s press conference, 19 October; Agriculture Ministry, response measures, 22 October; ABPA, 2025 chicken export results, 6 January 2026; Epagri/Cepa, chicken export analysis (accessed 29 October 2026).