Brazil confirms Newcastle disease outbreak at turkey farm

Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) confirmed Oct. 18 an outbreak of Newcastle disease at a commercial turkey farm in the municipality of Nova Itaberaba, in the state of Santa Catarina, one of Brazil's main poultry-producing states.

The outbreak led authorities to quarantine the farm and suspend bird movement while sanitary authorities implemented measures to control and eradicate the disease.

According to Mapa, the disease was identified during an epidemiological investigation conducted by Santa Catarina's Official Veterinary Service and confirmed by the Federal Agricultural Defense Laboratory of São Paulo.

Control, containment, and eradication measures will follow the guidelines set out in Brazil's Contingency Plan for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease.

Santa Catarina accounted for about 13% of Brazil's poultry production in the first half of 2026, according to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics.

Mapa said poultry products subject to the Federal Inspection Service (SIF) remain safe for consumption. The outbreak will also be reported to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and Brazil's trading partners.

A market researcher said any potential restrictions imposed by trading partners on Brazilian poultry meat in response to the outbreak are expected to be regional rather than nationwide.

According to the source, restrictions could apply only to products originating from a specific area, such as Santa Catarina or a defined zone surrounding the outbreak. "There should not be a nationwide ban."