Brazil's Bird Flu Battle: Lessons and Risks

Brazil is stepping up to share its experiences with bird flu at an upcoming global conference. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) picked Brazil to host this event, even though the country just had its first bird flu outbreak this past May on a chicken farm. This shows Brazil's quick response and strong safety measures. Bird flu is a big deal worldwide. It has affected not just poultry but also dairy cows, cats, and even humans. The disease has led to massive culling of poultry and trade bans. Brazil, a major chicken exporter, has felt the impact of these bans, especially from top buyer China. Jorge Meza, FAO's representative for Brazil, highlighted Brazil's strong biosecurity protocols. He believes Brazil has valuable lessons to share with other countries. Meza emphasized the need for regional cooperation, information sharing, and adopting best practices to strengthen national systems. The FAO stressed that tackling bird flu requires a united effort from both public and private sectors. While Brazil has managed to control the outbreak, there are still risks. Smaller chicken and egg producers, especially those raising cage-free or free-range chickens, face higher exposure to infected wildlife. Mapping all chicken farms, big and small, is crucial for better risk management and quick response during emergencies. Brazil exports chicken to about 150 countries. Some importers have lifted trade restrictions after Brazil controlled the outbreak in June. However, China, the largest buyer, has not resumed imports yet. The FAO expert Andres Gonzalez pointed out that mapping farms helps in disseminating best practices and applying control measures swiftly.