EN 
PT_BR 
The confirmation of a new case of avian influenza in Rio Grande do Sul should not cause immediate impacts on exports or the marketing of Brazilian poultry products. This assessment comes from agricultural engineer Juarez Morbini Lopes, who considers the occurrence isolated and emphasizes the importance of sanitary monitoring to prevent the spread of the virus.
A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HAAI) was confirmed on Monday (5), in subsistence birds in the municipality of Selbach, in the Alto Jacuí region. For Lopes, the identification of the disease requires attention from health authorities, but the information available so far does not indicate reasons for concern with national or international trade.
“The fact that only one case has been reported so far doesn't seem very significant to me. We will await the decisions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa). I don't believe this will affect exports or sales here in Brazil at this time,” assesses the agricultural engineer.
According to Lopes, the main measure should be a sanitary investigation of the region, with the aim of identifying whether other animals have had contact with the virus or show signs of contamination. This survey will be important to guide future control actions. “I believe a mapping of the region will be done to check if there are other contaminated animals. If new cases are identified, a sanitary barrier could be established within a radius of a few kilometers around the location where the problem was detected,” he explains.
The expert emphasizes that this type of procedure is part of the measures normally adopted by the authorities responsible for animal health. The goal is to reduce the risk of the virus spreading and prevent it from occurring on other properties. "These are measures that the animal health system normally adopts to prevent the spread of the virus," he adds.
In Rio Grande do Sul, the Official Veterinary Service (SVO-RS) reported that it will conduct visits to 68 properties located within a three-kilometer radius of the outbreak identified in Selbach. The operation also includes sanitary education and awareness campaigns for the local population.
The investigation began after a mortality notification was received on October 1st by the Department of Animal Health Surveillance and Defense (DDA), linked to the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Sustainable Production and Irrigation (Seapi). The samples were sent to the Federal Laboratory of Agricultural Defense of Campinas (LFDA-SP), a reference laboratory of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WHO), which confirmed the diagnosis.
According to WHO rules, the occurrence of avian influenza in backyard poultry does not alter the sanitary status of Brazilian commercial poultry production and does not, in itself, imply the suspension of exports. This condition aligns with Lopes' assessment that the episode should not generate immediate commercial consequences.
Seapi advises producers and residents to be attentive to the main signs of the disease, such as respiratory problems, neurological changes, and high and sudden mortality among birds. Any suspicion should be reported to the nearest Agricultural Defense Inspectorate or via WhatsApp (51) 98445-2033. The population should also avoid contact with sick, injured, or dead birds. Although avian influenza mainly affects birds, the virus can also infect mammals and, more rarely, humans.
The Health Department emphasizes that consuming chicken and eggs remains safe, as the disease is not transmitted through the ingestion of these foods.
According to Juarez Morbini Lopes, the priority at this moment is to monitor the work of the health authorities and verify the possible existence of other contaminated animals. The agricultural engineer believes that surveillance and control measures are the way to contain the spread of the virus, without the case representing, so far, an immediate threat to Brazilian poultry sales.
