A second occurrence of Newcastle Disease, which led to the restriction of Brazilian poultry meat imports by several countries, was identified in a commercial turkey farm located in the West region of Santa Catarina. This new record was confirmed by authorities on Saturday night, the 24th, five days after the first case was reported on Monday, the 19th.
The most recent focus was registered in the city of Coronel Freitas, located approximately 35 kilometers from Nova Itaberaba, where the virus was first detected. Both locations are part of the zoosanitary emergency zone established in the region by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa).
Despite the emergence of this second case, both affected properties and hundreds of neighboring establishments are being monitored and subjected to sanitary control actions coordinated by the Integrated Agricultural Development Company of Santa Catarina (Cidasc).
Situation under tactical control
Cidasc communicated in a note that the situation is already under tactical control. This is because more than 70% of the surveillance area of this new outbreak overlaps with the area of the first focus. Consequently, most surrounding establishments have already been inspected, mapped, and are under active monitoring by Cidasc teams, with only the inclusion of some properties remaining on the inspection schedule.
Newcastle disease is characterized as a viral illness that affects birds, whether domestic or wild, and can be fatal to these animals. In humans, its manifestation is limited to transient conjunctivitis, usually lasting about a week. Transmission occurs through direct contact, not through consumption.
The responsible body reiterated that, even with the detection of the virus, no bird has been confirmed with the disease. Furthermore, animals from properties that underwent negative tests were released for slaughter, demonstrating the success of the containment system in isolating only the necessary points, ensuring economic continuity and normalcy of production in safe areas.
Virus presence in free-ranging pigeons
Additionally, the virus was found in wild (free-ranging) pigeons in the city of Marema, outside the initial emergency area, which prompted an alert for the immediate reinforcement of biosecurity practices throughout the region.
The agency clarified to the public and producers that these were pigeons loose in nature that were already showing clinical symptoms of the disease, which were later confirmed in the laboratory. Cidasc also informed that the focus in Coronel Freitas originates from the virus transmitted by these pigeons. For this reason, the recommendation is for commercial producers to intensify protection in their aviaries, implementing pest control and disinfecting vehicles and footwear to prevent any contact between wild birds and commercial flocks.
Sanitary control task force
The report issued by Cidasc on Saturday, the 24th, indicated that the first complete round of surveillance was finalized in commercial establishments across the entire emergency area. This area includes not only Nova Itaberaba and Coronel Freitas but also the cities of Nova Erechim and Águas Frias.
The Animal Health Emergency Operations Center (Coezoo) released the following data regarding control actions: more than 160 commercial properties (including chickens and turkeys) were inspected; 317 subsistence properties were audited; 78 samples were collected to ensure sanitary safety; and four sanitary barriers, both mobile and fixed, remain operational 24 hours a day, controlling traffic and disinfecting vehicles.