Japan has suspended importation of all poultry products including uncooked meat and eggs from the state of Espirito Santo in Brazil.  This state recorded an isolated outbreak in a non-commercial multi-species flock following recent isolations of H5N1 virus from migratory birds.

Japan recently declared freedom from avian influenza after having depopulated approximately 10 million commercial poultry including broilers and laying hens. Japan receives the majority of imports from Brazil and is not an exporting nation. Their concern relates to the potential for zoonotic infection with an avian influenza virus.

Predictably Brazil is opposing the ban on the basis of an existing veterinary health protocol. The State of Espirito Santo is not a significant producer of broilers but has large egg production operations.

It is considered unusual that Brazil was unaffected by avian influenza for many months with neighboring nations reporting outbreaks in migratory birds, backyard flocks and in some cases commercial poultry.  Only recently has Brazil acknowledged the presence of HPAI strain H5N1 in wild birds in seven states but with spread to only one backyard flock.

Should an outbreak occur in commercial poultry in Brazil in the immediate future, the response of importing nations will be instructive given the diversity of responses by importing nations to outbreaks of HPAI in the U.S. during 2022.  A significant series of outbreaks among the major broiler-producing states of Brazil would markedly change the approach to import restrictions. Reactions by importers will address embargos and their geographic and jurisdictional boundaries, certification for freedom from infection, recognition of the WOAH principle of zoning/localization and acceptance of vaccination with appropriate surveillance.