Abstract
Brazil is one of the world's largest countries with a rich diversity of wildlife, including resident and migratory wild birds, which may be natural reservoirs of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Because Brazil is a major global exporter of chicken meat, the emergence of such a disease may have a huge negative impact not only on the economy due to trade restrictions and embargoes, but also on the quality of life of the population. Samples were collected from 1,022 asymptomatic domestic and wild birds from the Brazilian coast and the Amazon region using tracheal/cloacal swabs and tested by RT-qPCR. The results showed 7 (0.7%) birds were positive for NDV. The positive samples were then isolated in embryonated chicken eggs and their matrix protein genes were partially sequenced, revealing a low-pathogenicity NDV. This study confirms the maintenance of the velogenic-NDV free status of Brazil.
Highlights
Brazil participated with 43.4% share in the international chicken meat trade in 2010, maintaining its position as the world’s largest exporter since 2004
We gave greater emphasis to study species that: were known to have been infected by Newcastle disease virus (NDV), were epidemiological reservoirs of NDV, had greater contact with other wild species, and that shared the habitat with other animals, mainly birds rearedin backyards or lakes
We investigated the presence of NDV in wild and domestic asymptomatic birds from geographic areas considered the entry portal of NDV into Brazil
Summary
Brazil participated with 43.4% share in the international chicken meat trade in 2010, maintaining its position as the world’s largest exporter since 2004. Production reached 12.2 million tons, a result that kept the country as the third largest producer, only behind the USA and China. Chicken meat exports generated revenues of almost US$ 6.8 billion in 2010 for Brazil (UBABEF, 2010/2011). Chicken meat is important for Brazilian economy, but it is a source of affordable, high-quality protein for the population. White meat essentially has the same nutrients as red meat, but it has the advantage of containing less saturated fat and cholesterol (Venturiniet al., 2007). For many Brazilians, especially in the North and Northeast of the country, as well as in other developing countries, backyard layers and meat are extremely important protein sources of their diet
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