Ministry of Agriculture maintains monitoring of avian flu outbreak in Rio Grande do Sul

Outbreak recorded in May in the state is under control, with temporary suspension of exports and expanded monitoring across the country.

The farm underwent disinfection and has been under a 28-day sanitary observation period since May 22. | Photo: MAPA

The Ministry of Agriculture is maintaining active monitoring of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) outbreak detected on May 16, 2025, at a commercial chicken farm in Montenegro, Rio Grande do Sul. So far, the outbreak has resulted in the death of 15,000 infected birds, the sanitary culling of another 2,000, and the destruction of 1.7 million eggs. The farm has undergone disinfection and has been under a 28-day sanitary observation period since May 22. A recent case in a wild bird in the Federal District has also expanded surveillance efforts. Authorities continue conducting tests and measures to contain the disease while negotiating with international partners regarding imposed trade restrictions.

According to authorities, the outbreak was identified through laboratory tests following the sudden death of birds at the farm. The H5N1 virus, which causes avian influenza, is transmissible among birds and can cause economic losses to the poultry sector. ✅Clique e siga Ciência Elementar no Instagram 

The international reaction led to the temporary suspension of Brazilian chicken meat imports by countries such as China, South Korea, the European Union, Canada, Mexico, and others. Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of chicken meat, had maintained disease-free status in commercial flocks until the start of the outbreak.

The Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Fávaro, stated that the government supports the adoption of vaccination for birds against avian influenza, along with a regionalization strategy that would limit trade restrictions to only the affected areas. “So that we can jointly discuss an animal health regionalization model, the possible implementation of vaccines regarding avian influenza, all this without restricting markets, in agreement between buyers and sellers,” Fávaro said during a meeting with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in Paris.

A worker from the region was tested to rule out human infection with H5N1 after showing respiratory symptoms, with a negative result released on May 20. The analysis was conducted by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), with samples sent to the Adolfo Lutz Institute, a reference laboratory for influenza.

By early June, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that Brazil had not registered new cases in commercial farms for 14 consecutive days and is awaiting the end of the 28-day observation period for the country to be declared free of the disease. More than 4,000 tests have been conducted on birds, with nine additional suspected cases still under investigation. Surveillance remains active to prevent new outbreaks and ensure the continuity of poultry production.

Avian influenza is a zoonosis that rarely infects humans but can pose a risk in cases of direct contact with sick birds. The Ministry of Health advises rural producers to follow sanitary recommendations and immediately report any abnormalities to the competent authorities.